Courier-Tribune
Seneca, KS

At the service Monday, April 29, 1968, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church for Henry J. Engelken, (who died April 26, 1968), three nephews concelebrated the Requiem High Mass. They were Father Sylvester Wietharn of Horton, KS, Father Albert Wietharn of Topeka, KS, and Father John Stitz, Tonganoxie, KS. Father Albert gave the homily. Burial was in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Mr. Engelken was a member of Sts. Pater and Paul Church and of the Knights of Columbus with a record of more than 50 years of membership in the Knights of Columbus.

Henry J. Engelken was born at St. Benedict, KS on October 14, 1890. His parents were John and Mary Schulte Engelken. He grew up on the farm and became a farmer himself.

He and Johanna Bergman were married at St. Mary's Church, St. Benedict, KS on October 18, 1911. They farmed, and in 1939, moved to Seneca. Mr. Engelken operated a sawmill here for a number of years, until recent months. He had been ill for about three months.

He is survived by his wife and their children; Leona, Mrs. Clem Koelzer of Onaga, KS; Alfred Engelken, Centralia, KS; Bernard Engelken, Seneca, KS; Aloysius Engelken, Seneca, KS; Kenneth Engelken, Seneca, KS; Florence, Mrs. Lyle Pearson, Seneca, KS; and Mary Ann, MRs. Sam Armstrong, Jr., David City, NE. A son, Cletus Engelken, and a daughter, Rosalita, Mrs. Marvin Mace, are deceased.

Two sisters survive, Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. John Stitz, of Baileyville, KS and Ottila, Mrs. Fred Kuckelman, Axtell, KS. Sisters deceased of this family are Helen, Mrs. Joe Buessing, Nora, Mrs. Clem Zind, Mary Ann, Mrs. Barney Rottinghaus, Ann Catherine, Mrs. Frank Wietharn, and Mary M., Mrs. Henry Rethman. A brother, Bernard, died in infancy.

There are 39 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

His church, his family and friends were special interests to Mr. Engelken.

The Engelkens lived on a farm near St. Benedict for 31 years before coming to Seneca. In addition, he trucked cattle and did threshing for other people. His great interest was in sawmills. He ran sawmills from the time he was 19 years old. That was his work after the family came to Seneca in 1939. At one time he had two mills operation, one at Salem, NE, and the one here. Several years ago he sustained a broken leg while sawing lumber, and was laid up for six months, but when well went right back to the job.

He was "grandpa" to the neighborhood kids. His life was sparked by enthusiasm, love and friendliness.