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, 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.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .