Leonard Bell Koenen

Leonard Bell Koenen, age 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday February 2, 2023.

Leonard was born in Evanston, IL on March 1, 1931. He spent his youth in Park Ridge where he graduated from Maine HS.  At 18, he signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians’ farm team and played for them for two years. He was drafted by the military and served his country honorably during the Korean War as a Corporal in the U S Army. Upon his discharge, he decided to pursue a college education at Northwestern and stepped into manage his family’s lumber company.  As a third-generation owner of Mayfair Lumber Company in Chicago, Len led the company to new heights of success with integrity and character. Leonard was a natural sportsman.  In addition to his love of baseball, he also loved to fish, hunt, and play golf.  He excelled in everything he did and shared his interests with friends and business associates, teaching them the finer points of each sport.  He coached Little League Baseball in Barrington and was loved by all for his great personality and generous heart. He was a larger-than-life American hero in war and peace, business and sports.

Leonard is survived by his beloved wife of 11 years, Nancy Sibrava-Koenen; his loving children, John (Krina), Chris, and David Koenen, and Andrew (Rusty) Kneeland; cherished grandchildren, Jake, Alexander, and Natalie Koenen, and Zoey Kneeland; and sister, Helen Schiewe.

Preceded in death by his first wife and childhood sweetheart, Carol Schiewe Koenen; and his parents, Leonard and Helen Bell.

Memorial Visitation will be held Monday, February 13, 2023 at Davenport Family Funeral Home in Barrington, Illinois from 3:00 p.m. until the Memorial Service at 7:00 p.m.

Interment will be held privately.