Kenneth Joseph Enneking

KENNETH JOSEPH ENNEKING

Marion

Kenneth Joseph Enneking, 80, of Marion, passed away on Oct. 19, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. A parish vigil service will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. The family will greet friends following the vigil service until 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion by Father David O'Connor. Graveside service: 1:30 p.m. Monday at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military honors.

Ken is survived by his wife, Pat, of Marion; sons, Craig (Ann) Enneking of Iowa City and Eric Enneking of League City, Texas; six grandchildren, Megan, Kyle, Jessica, Alyssa, Mitchell and Haley; two great-grandchildren, Ivan and Brooke; siblings, Richard (Billie) Enneking of Marion, Mary Jane Copeland of Kingsville, Mo., James (Charlene) Enneking of Basehor, Kan., Charles (Kathy) Enneking of Sabetha, Kan., Vera (Lynn) Kramer of Topeka, Kan., Lucy (John) Jones of Shawnee, Kan., Joseph (Mary) Enneking of Topeka, Kan., Maurice Enneking of Kingsville, Mo., Lynn (Susan) Enneking of Lawrence, Kan., and Glen (Judith) Enneking of Bluffton, S.C.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Lisa (Enneking) Huntington in 2010.

Ken was born Nov. 22, 1936, in Centralia, Kan., to Alphonse and Margaret (Ketter) Enneking. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force. Ken was united in marriage to Patricia K. Gearhart on Aug. 3, 1957, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He worked for 19 years at LinkBelt Speeder (FMC) and was self-employed as a carpenter. Ken was a member of VFW Post 788 of Cedar Rapids, Izaak Walton League, Pheasants Forever and St. Joseph Catholic Church, and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.

Ken was a loving and devoted husband, dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. His wife of 60 years, Pat, was the love of his life. Ken's entire life was dedicated to the well-being of his family. He was fiercely proud of his family heritage, and never stopped in his quest to learn more about his family's history. Ken was a very talented carpenter and woodworker, and spent his lifetime using these skills to help others. He would help anyone in need of his expertise, and never ask for anything in return. Ken frequently volunteered his time to help with construction and woodworking projects. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing and gardening with his family. Ken also enjoyed participating in local outdoor conservation activities and fundraising events. He also participated in numerous volunteer activities for his church and community. Ken was a fan of the Iowa State Cyclones and Oklahoma Sooners. Above all, he and Pat enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, and supporting them in their various school and athletic activities.

Ken touched the lives of many people during his lifetime. He gave much and asked for little. Ken quietly attempted each day to make the world a better place for all. He is dearly loved, and will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorials may be directed to the Mercy Foundation for the Hall Perrine Cancer Center and cancer research (www.mercycare.org/ways-to-give), St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.cff.org/Iowa/) in Ken's memory.

Please share a memory of Ken at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.