Francis Paul Palenske

Francis Paul “Peachy” Palenske, 68, of Alma, Kansas, passed away Friday, July 9, 2010 at a Topeka Hospital, following a brief illness. Mr. Palenske was born April 2, 1942, in Wamego, Kansas, to the parentage of Paul and Frances (Zeckser) Palenske. He was a life-long resident of the Alma community. Frances attended Alma High School, and was frequently recognized for his many outstanding athletic achievements in football, basketball, and track. He graduated in 1960, and later attended Washburn University. On July 27, 1962, he was united in marriage to Jean M. Senne, in Greenville, South Carolina. This union was blessed with two sons, Troy and Todd. Francis was employed at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Topeka, and retired in 2002 after 40 years of service. He was an activity bus driver, and basketball score clock operator at Wabaunsee High School for over 20 years. Mr. Palenske was currently serving as president of the Alma Recreation Commission, a position he had held for over two decades. It was during his tenure that total completion of the McKnight Field Sports Complex was achieved. Francis was a junior and senior high girl’s, summer softball coach for nearly fifty years. His coaching career began in the early 1960’s, when he became an assistant coach for the Alma “Chicks”, and continued every year until illness prevented him from finishing the season with his current team, “Peachy’s Angels”. Coach “P”, as he was affectionately called by his players, also coached a girl’s softball team in Wamego for several years. Many of his teams enjoyed success in league, district, and state levels of competition. He was employed as an assistant girl’s softball and basketball coach at Wabaunsee High School for a number of years, and most recently served as head basketball coach at Mill Creek Valley Junior High, in Paxico. He was honored to receive the W.H.S. “Booster of the Year” award on several occasions, and he and his wife were co-recipients of the award in 1984 and 1990. Mr. Palenske was a faithful member of Peace United Church of Christ, in Alma, and at various times served the congregation as president of the consistory, financial secretary, Lay Reader, cemetery superintendent, grounds keeper, and custodian. He enjoyed singing in the church choir and each community Easter and Christmas Cantata, hosted by the church. Francis is survived by his wife, Jean, of the home; two sons, Troy (Kim) Palenske, of Abilene, KS, Todd Palenske, of Topeka, KS; two grandchildren, Logan and Morgan Palenske, of Abilene, KS; one sister-in-law, Sylvia Palenske, Alma, KS; four nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Marvin Palenske. Mr. Palenske will lie in-state at Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 13th. There will be no formal visitation that evening. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 14th at Peace United Church of Christ in Alma. A private burial service will follow at the church cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Peace United Church of Christ, or to the Francis Palenske Memorial Fund to be designated later, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, P.O. Box 126, 66401.