Joseph J. Harpenau, 91, of Topeka, formerly of Seneca, died February 27, 2018, a Via Christi Nursing Home in Wichita.

Joe was born on December 28, 1926 to Joseph C. and Philomena A. Cheray Harpenau in Long Beach, California.  In 1934, at the age of 8, Joe moved with his family to Kansas.   He attended Sts. Peter & Paul Grade School and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in 1944. He enlisted with the U.S. Navy and served in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He served on the USS912 ship; it carried tanks, jeeps and soldiers to the beaches.

After being discharged Joe worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for 38 years; retiring in 1988.

Joe was a passionate amateur radio operator for many years, going by the call letters WBØZEQ, and was a member of the Kaw Valley Amateur Radio Club in Topeka. On April 16, 1986 he was allowed into the Wireless Room of the R.M.S. Queen Mary, at Long Beach, California as an amateur Radio Operator, a fact he was very proud of.

He was a member of the Earl W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the VFW, the Knights of Columbus Council 1769.  On March 9, 2009 Joe stood on the Pyramid, the Official Center of the World, located in Felicity, California.
He is survived by his brother, Robert Harpenau of Wichita a sister Ruth Crawford of Wichita. Several nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be at 10:00 A.M. prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. The Burial will be in the church cemetery.

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