Clarence Robert Engelken, 92, of St. Benedict, Kansas, passed peacefully to eternal life surrounded by his wife and ten children on September 10, 2026 at Life Care Center of Seneca. He was born on the family farm southwest of St. Benedict on January 26, 1934, the youngest of four children of Andrew and Margaret (Andres) Engelken.

He attended St. Benedict Grade School and graduated from St. Benedict High School in 1952. After working on the family farm for a couple of years, he volunteered to join the US Army and served in Korea from 1955-1957. He was inducted into the Army at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, did training at Fort Eustis, Virginia in the transportation corps and graduated as a boat coxswain. After arriving in Inchon, Korea, he was assigned as the Boat Pool Clerk. He was honorably discharged in June 1957. Clarence was always proud to be an American Veteran and maintained his patriotic loyalty throughout his life.

On August 8, 1957, Clarence married the love of his life Lillian Haverkamp at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They were blessed with 69 years of marriage. To this union eleven children were born, one of which died in infancy.

Clarence was a farmer and rancher his entire life. He and Lillian farmed and pastured cattle for many years in Pottawatomie, Jackson and Nemaha Counties. He was in partnership for several years with his father-in-law Edwin Haverkamp in the fertilizer business. He also ran a custom silage cutting business for several years and sold Asgrow seed. In 1978 he began a career with Archer Petroleum, selling oil until he was made the county manager from 1982 to 1986, and then the district manager for Northeast Kansas, Southeast Nebraska, and a portion of Missouri, until retirement in 1999.

Clarence had a deep love for horses and was truly a cowboy at heart. Over the years, he owned many horses, and when he could no longer ride, he found a way to continue doing what he loved - he began driving them. He delighted in giving his grandchildren and great-grandchildren rides in his handmade pony cart or wagon, and, in the winter, his sleigh. For several years, he proudly drove his horse and wagon in the St. Benedict St. Patrick’s Day parades, creating special memories for his family and community.

In his later years, Clarence enjoyed the simple pleasures of watching John Wayne movies and listening to Johnny Cash. Hunting and fishing were also favorite pastimes throughout his life, giving him many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and the things he loved.

Clarence was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, serving on the Church Committee and later the Parish Council. He was one of the first Eucharistic ministers for the parish in 1973 and served in that capacity for 38 years. He became a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1769 in 1952, and became a Fourth-Degree Knight in 2006. He was a faith-filled man, and a worn rosary was always close at hand. He and Lillian attended Wednesday evening rosaries at the Grotto in St. Benedict for many years. Together they instilled their deep faith in their children.

He dearly loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A quiet and humble man of few words, you knew when he spoke that his words carried meaning and were worth listening to. He was a role model for his children, teaching them by example the importance of hard work, responsibility, and dedication. After retirement, he and Lillian enjoyed many miles of travel across the United States and into Canada, but their yearly trips to Branson were always their favorite.

Clarence is survived by his wife Lillian and his ten children - Laurie (Dennis) Niehues, Goff; Angie (Dave) Kramer, Teresa Holthaus, Robert (Shauna) Engelken, Richard Engelken, all of Seneca; Susan (Stan) Broxterman, Axtell; Gene (Jana) Engelken, Pawnee City, Nebraska; Alison (Brian) Steinlage, Baileyville; Jerry (Alanna) Engelken, Goff; and Chris (Trish) Engelken, Seneca, 27 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren with 5 more on the way, a sister-in-law Eunice Winkler, Seneca, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Kathleen Engelken on July 23, 1979 and a great-grandson Emry Plasha, his parents Andrew & Margaret Engelken, his sister Reva Holthaus, his brothers Roy (Norene) Engelken and Lester (Martha) Engelken, his mother and father-in-law Edwin and Elizabeth Haverkamp, Sister-in-law Ellen Winkler, brothers-in-law Albert and LeRoy Winkler, nephews Edward Engelken and Stephen Winkler and nieces, Debbie Rilinger and Leeann Kidney.

Rosaries will be prayed on Sunday at 2:00 and 7:00 PM at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday September 14 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. The burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors.

Memorials can be given in Clarence’s memory and are to be designated at a later date, sent in care of the family.