Merle Engelke

Merle Franklin Engelke, 89, of Topeka, went to be with our Lord and Savior, Thursday, June 22, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Merle was born January 20, 1934, after his twin sister, Marlene Frances Rockey, to Henry Theodore and Lorena Grace (Hixon) Engelke in Tecumseh. Merle married Anita Faith Cook on June 16, 1957, in Baldwin City. She survives. They recently celebrated their 66th anniversary with their family.

Merle attended Decker Grade School, graduated from Highland Park High School in 1952, and attended Washburn University. In 1957, he joined the Army Reserves at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He also worked at The Railway Ice Company and on the Kansas Turnpike. Merle loved working outside and managed both row crops and cattle (he liked to name his cows) on the family farm in Tecumseh. In 1995, Merle retired after 35 years as a Sheet Metal Worker from the Topeka Santa Fe Railway Shops. Wherever he worked, Merle always enjoyed the challenge of fixing things.

To Merle, family was most important. He loved his children. He enjoyed attending all his children's band and vocal concerts, theater productions, tennis matches and other sporting events. Later in life, he loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up.

Besides his wife, Merle is survived by one son, John Alan Engelke, of Overland Park; two daughters, Debra Ann (Phillip J.) Olsson of Topeka, and Diana Lee (David) Brosa of Tecumseh; and four grandchildren, Darron (Ashley) Berroth and Ashlyn (Joel) Geels of Topeka; Alicia (Cory) Duff of Odebolt, Iowa; and Paul Votaw of Cedar City, Utah. Merle was ‘Great Papa’ to eight great-grandchildren, Landon, Brinley, Jacob, Lucas, Ava Faith, James, Elliot, and Colin. Merle is also survived by one nephew, Bryan (Kristi) Rockey of Topeka, son of his twin sister.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Claude Willard Engelke; and his twin sister, Marlene Frances Rockey.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, Topeka. Graveside services will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sutton Cemetery, Baldwin City. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Topeka or the Topeka Rescue Mission. To read the full obituary or leave a message for Merle's family, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.