Roy Edgar Palenske

Roy Edgar Palenske, 93, of Alma, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center, in Topeka, Kansas. Roy was born September 9, 1918 on the family farm at Kuenzli Creek, near McFarland, Kansas. He was the eldest son of Henry William and Sophia (Herren) Palenske. On March 27, 1941, Roy married Edna Louise Laging in Alma, Kansas, she survives of the home. Roy lived his entire life in the Alma area except for just four years when he was in the military. On April 16, 1942, Roy was drafted into the United States Army and spent time in the Aleutian Islands and throughout Rhineland and Central Europe, where he was an antiaircraft machine gunner with the 473rd Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. After his honorable discharge he returned to his farm outside Alma, where he was a farmer up until 1994. Roy enjoyed fishing, playing cards and traveling. Most importantly he enjoyed the time spent with his family and friends. Roy was a member of the Peace United Church of Christ and the American Legion-Ed Palenske, Post #32, both of Alma, KS. Among Roy’s other survivors are his son: Ray Palenske and wife Trudy, of Lawrence, KS; three grandchildren: Debra Burton and husband Shawn, of Overland Park, KS, Brian Palenske, of Basehor, KS and Charla Rasmussen and husband Rob, of Omaha, NE and five great-grandchildren: Christopher, Lauren, Celia, MacKenzie and Allison. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lee, January of 2012 and his son Gary in 1994. A memorial service for Mr. Palenske will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the Peace United Church of Christ in Alma with the Rev. John Austin officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery with military honors. Memorials are suggested to the Peace United Church of Christ, Alma or the American Legion-Ed Palenske Post #32 and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, KS, PO Box 126, 66401.