Martha Engelken

Martha A. (Schmitz) Engelken, 83, of Frankfort, Kan., lost her courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at her home. Visitation was Tuesday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Padden Funeral Chapel in Frankfort. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Tuesday at Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 11, at Annunciation Catholic Church. Father Pat Sullivan officiated. Jeanie Gerstner played the organ while Lynn Bramhall led the congregation in singing “Sing With All the Saints of Glory”, “I Heard the Voice of Jesus”, “You Are Mine” and “Mother Dear, O Pray for Me”. The pallbearers were Mike Engelken, Alan Engelken, Richard Engelken, Eric Laffere, Les Holthaus, Galen Bergman, Loran Schmitz and Jerry Rempe. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Frankfort. Martha was born on September 4, 1930 in Seneca, Kan., to George and Louise (Oenbring) Schmitz of St. Benedict, Kan. In 1948, she graduated from St. Benedict High School. On August 26, 1954 she married Lester J. Engelken at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed north of Vermillion from 1955 to 1970 and northeast of Frankfort since 1970. Martha was a stay at home mother until the children were all in school, at which time she went to work as a school cook and spent 30 years helping prepare daily lunches in the lunchroom. In the summer, Martha enjoyed taking care of her flower and vegetable gardens and canning. Winter was the time for her to do quilting, crocheting and embroidery work. Martha also enjoyed volunteering her time at Annunciation Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester J.; son, Edward Engelken; son-in-law, David Laffere; parents; and four brothers, Clarence, Francis, Adrian and Lambert Schmitz. Survivors include her children, Sharon (Leo) Luttjohann, Axtell, Kan., Judy Engelken, Topeka, Kan., Carolyn Laffere, Kansas City, Kan., Donald (Marilyn) Engelken and Gary Engelken, all of Frankfort, Kan.; two sisters, Helen Bergman, Topeka, and Norita (Leonard) Rempe, Hutchinson, Kan.; brother, Norbert Schmitz, Axtell, Kan.; and many grandchildren and great-granddaughters. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Annunciation Cigna Center or Meadowlark Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of Padden Funeral Chapel. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Martha Engelken, please visit our flower store.