Pete Engelke 1923-2015
Duane “Pete” Engelke, 91, passed away Friday, July 31, 2015, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.
He was born Dec. 15, 1923, in Mullen, Neb., the son of Glen and Adena (Johnson) Engelke. He moved to Tecumseh with his family after his mother’s death when he was 4. Pete attended the Milikan, Kreipe and Highland Park schools with his sisters, cousins and friends and was tagged with the lifelong nickname of “Pete.”
On July 20, 1957, he married Ione (Vawter) Self. In 1958, they moved to Bancroft where he farmed until 2008. Pete’s house burned and he lived with Susie and Ed Eisenbarth for two years. He then built his new home in 1993 in Goff and lived there until 2008, at which time, due to health concerns, he went to live with daughter, Charlotte and Roy Richards, in Ozawkie, until his death.
Survivors include his daughters, Charlotte (Roy) Richards and Susan (Ed) Eisenbarth; 11 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren; his sister and best friend, Inez (Engelke) Glidewell; and his daughter-in-law, Julia Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ione, in 1990; his son, Leroy Self, in 2001; and a sister, Gladys (Engelke) Staggs, in 2009.
Duane was a humble man who believed in God and hard work. His greatest joy was the nurturing connection he had with his family, land, cows and horses. We were all blessed to have him in our lives and look forward to seeing him again.
Funeral services were held Monday morning at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial followed in Holton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice House, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
