Duane "Pete" Engelke passed away July 31, 2015 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. He was born December 15, 1923 in Mullen, Nebraska the son of, Glen and Adena (Johnson) Engelke.  He moved to Tecumseh, Kansas 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 2 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; wife, Ione in 1990; his son, Leroy Self in 2001 and 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 will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2015 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be given to Midland Hospice House c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.