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Myrtle I. "Pat" Engelken

Corning

06/24/1919 - 12/12/2020

 

Myrtle “Pat” I. Graham Engelken, 101, of Corning was born on June 24, 1919 in Englewood, Colorado, the daughter of John and Alice Reed Graham. She passed away on December 12, 2020 at Eastridge Nursing Home in Centralia.

When Pat was five years old, the family returned to their farm near Stockton, Kansas. She attended Fairview Rural School and graduated from Webster High School both near Stockton, Kansas where she was the Valedictorian of the class of 1936.

She taught five years in the Rooks County School, then attended Friends University and Wichita Business College. She worked in the offices of Wichita Boeing.

Pat married Benedict “Ben” Engelken in Old St. Mary’s Church in San Francisco, California on January 14, 1943. During World War II, as his ship traveled along the west coast, Pat worked in the office of Douglas Aircraft and at the Port of Embarkation in San Pedro, California. After the birth of their first son, David, in Seattle, Washington, she and David made their home with Pat’s parents in Logan, Kansas.

When Ben was discharged from the Navy in 1946, they made their home at Lone Pine Farm near Goff, Kansas for the next 54 years. Pat moved to Corning in 2001.

She was active as a leader of the Rustlers 4-H Club and also served on the Nemaha County Extension Executive Committee. She was a member of Corning Arthur L Mills Legion Auxiliary Unit, the General Federated Women’s Club of Goff, serving as an officer in each of these organizations. She served as District President and Chairman of the GFWC 1st District of Kansas.

Pat taught two years in St. Patrick’s School when her youngest child, Lisa, started school. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church Altar Society, taught CCD, and also served as a parish council member.

Special interests of Pat were education, seeing that all of her children attained their college degrees, and encouraging them in their musical endeavors. The local library, summer vacation Bible School, the summer recreation program of the Legion Auxiliary, helping with veterans’ needs and promoting senior citizen meetings were also special projects of importance to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Benedict “Ben” in 1993; her sons, Jeffrey in 1988; Larry in 2007, Ron in 2009 and Joe in 2017. Pat was the last surviving member of the Graham siblings- Alta Graham, Charles, Chris, Leo, Maxine, and Lucille Graham Weber.

She is survived by sons, David (Tricia) Engelken of Denver, Colorado, Christopher Engelken of Salina, Kansas, Michael (Monica) Engelken of Topeka, Kansas and Terence (Elizabeth) Engelken of Ames, Iowa; daughters, Alice (Terry) Sims of Worcester, England, Nancy (Jay) Rando of Las Vegas, Nevada, Diane (John) Carbray of Fresno, California, Elaine (Terry) Rethman of Corning, Kansas and Lisa (Matthew) Swindells of Italy; 30 grandchildren; and 28 great grandchildren.

 

 

Due to Covid-19,  cremation has taken place and funeral services will be held at a later date.

Memorial are for Corning Library and or the Corning Ball Association sent in care of the Family.

Due to Covid-19,  cremation has taken place and funeral services will be held at a later date.

Memorial are for Corning Library and or the Corning Ball Association sent in care of the Family.

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12 Comments

  1. Jay Rando on December 12, 2020 at 9:12 pm

    You were more than a mother in law and better than any one could want as a friend. You will be missed but more importantly you will be remembered. I miss you but you have earned your rest many times over. What a full and impactful life you have lived. Clear skies Pat enjoy the flight .

  2. Cindy Engelken on December 13, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    Eternal peace and joy. I admire you so much.

    • Shaughnessy Fr. Jim on December 14, 2020 at 6:59 am

      A woman of God that encouraged her children to strive to be the person God intended you to be.

    • Ann Smith on December 16, 2020 at 7:59 am

      Dear Pat and family, It is with heart felt sadness that we hear of you leaving us Pat. We must be greatful and celebrate your amazing and well lived life. Reading the words of your family has inspired me not to sit on my “laurals”, and to look to see how I can contribute to others. Thank you Pat for being a great Mom in Law to my son Matthew. You always made hom feel so welcome. I loved the time at Lisa and Matts wedding, when you and I rode several times, on the elevator at the St Francis Hotel, just for fun. You will be missed so much Pat but we Ann will look to follow your wonderful example. Who knows in some other life we may ride the elevator again. I hope for that. Much love George and Ann. Xx

  3. Carol (Visser) Meyer on December 13, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    What a sweet neighbor she was! Our family was blessed to live across the section from the Engelken family. What fun memories I have of softball games, 4-H, and the ladies gatherings in your home. May God comfort each one of you in your loss and sustain you with the precious memories of your mom.

  4. Devin Engelken & family on December 13, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    With so many interests and responsibilities – she made it all seem so easy. You will be missed and never forgotten. What a powerful example for others. Our love to the rest of the family.

  5. Les and Sandy Steinlage on December 14, 2020 at 8:41 am

    With Deepest Sympathy to a Awesome gifted Family. “Pat” was Special in so many ways, she was Witty, with a Very Sharp Mind. Never heard this lady with any negative thing to say about anyone. She was involved in so many things while raising this truly Gifted Family. So happy to say we knew Pat as we grew up. What a Nice “Lady” to look up to. Wishing You all Peace, Comfort and May God’s Blessings be with each of You !!

  6. Tricia Huth on December 14, 2020 at 1:01 pm

    Pat, you sure set a high bar. What a model you have been as a wife and mother. As I have been married to your first born and raised three of your grandchildren I asked myself many times over – “How did you do this??” Now that I’m finally a grandmother, I hope to be as loving, encouraging and affirming as you were. How lucky all of us have been to have you at the helm of this amazing family. Now enjoy your deserved rest. We hold you in loving memory.

  7. karleen Boden on December 14, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    Jerry and I will miss her dearly. We enjoy many memories of her talks on the history Corning. Jerry said ” she was always interested in our baseball teams and all sports in corning. ” . May she rest in peace a in God’s arms. Peace be to all of your family.

  8. Kate hiltibrand on December 18, 2020 at 6:05 pm

    My sympahy to the family. I will miss her very much.

  9. Larry Beck on January 9, 2021 at 11:25 pm

    our mom, Lydia was inspired quite a lot by Pat and her family, so sorry for your loss. I suspect they are both up there planning or making something for the Corning or Goff community. The beck family

  10. Peggy (Rilinger) Heinen on January 18, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    What a beautiful life, 101 years and still smiling. We grew up a short distance from Pat and Ben Engelken. Good neighbors, Pat will be missed but what a family reunion she will have in heaven.

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