In Memory Of
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Kenneth F. "Inky" Engelken
Topeka, Kansas
04/15/1930 - 01/23/2022
Kenneth Francis “Inky” Engelken, 92, of Topeka, Kansas, died on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at his home in Topeka.
He was born April 15, 1930, on a farm south of St. Benedict, the son of Henry J. and Johanna Bergman Engelken. He attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict, Kansas until the family moved to Seneca. He entered the U.S. Army in November 15, 1951 and served in the Korea war and served in Giessen, Germany. He obtained the rank of Sgt on April 15, 1953 and was discharged after 6 years of service. He obtained his GED while in the service. After his stint in the Army, he went to work for the Kansas Department of Transportation and retired after 40 years of dedicated service to the State of Kansas.
He was a member of St. Mathews Catholic Church in Topeka (where he was a church usher), the American Legion and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both in Topeka and Seneca.
Kenny married LaVona Enneking on April 11, 1959 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. After they were married, the couple lived in Seneca until 1970; at which time they moved to Topeka where Kenny finished his career with the State of Kansas.
Kenny enjoyed fishing, playing cards, country music, bowling, dancing, singing, buying and selling cars and following his grandchildren’s sporting events.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Bonnie on December 24, 1967; a daughter-in-law, Dawn Engelken; and his brothers and sisters, Cletus Engelken, Alfred Engelken, Aloysius “Wishy” Engelken, Bernard Engelken, Rosalita Mace, Florence Pearson and Mary Ann Armstrong.
Besides his wife, LaVona of 62 Years of the home, he is survived by his children, Cindy (Gary) Gillman of Silver Lake, Kansas and Jeff Engelken of Topeka; grandchildren, Whitney (Brice) Kesler, Casey Engelken and Jake Long; and a great-grandchild, Kellan Kesler.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. A rosary will be prayed at 10 AM, prior to the Mass. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors. Military services are to follow at the cemetery.
Memorials are for St. Croix Hospice in Topeka, sent in care of the family.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. A rosary will be prayed at 10 AM, prior to the Mass. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors. Military services are to follow at the cemetery.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. A rosary will be prayed at 10 AM, prior to the Mass. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors. Military services are to follow at the cemetery.
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Condolences
Jeff, Cindy and Aunt Vonna, We were saddened to hear the news about Uncle Inky. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers at this time. What a blessing it was for mom and myself to talk to Inky on the phone before her dementia got worse. We will always remember the fun times we had as kids, in Seneca, when we visited the entire Engelken family. May God comfort you all. Lori (Armstrong) Hlavac and family
Jeff my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Prayers for Kenny and his family. The Engleken family were close neighbors of ours growing up. Kenny was onery, I remember him throwing my shoe out the window of the school bus and pushing me off the loft in the hay barn when a fork of hay was being unloaded. I am sure he teased his grandchildren too. Those are fond memories we have and treasure when we grow into adulthood. May Kenny rest in peace.
On behalf of HHS class of ’78, we offer our sincere condolences to the Engelken family. May your fond memories sustain you during this difficult time. I have memories of your dad at the softball fields watching Casey & Whitney playing when they were young. If I remember correctly he’d bring watermelons to enjoy after a hot ballgame. May Ken rest in peace.
Very sorry for your loss. Worked with Ink at lab for KDOT for several years. Good guy, lots of stories to tell. A good Jayhawk fan. RIP
So sorry to see about Inky. He was a great neighbor to the Dowell’s and will be remembered with fond memories.