Kenneth L. Siefkes went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. Ken was born on July 19, 1927, in Hudson, Kan., to Johnathan and Martha Mettscher Siefkes.

Ken married Joyce Metz on March 23, 1949, in Rolla, Mo. She preceded him in death on May 12, 1997.

After serving in the United States Navy, Ken and Joyce moved to Missouri, where he attended the Rolla School of Mines. They then moved to Tempe, where Ken attended Arizona State University, after which they moved to Emporia, where Ken obtained his teaching degree from Emporia State Teacher's College. Ken later graduated with a Master's Degree in Geology from the University of South Dakota. During a field trip in the Badlands of South Dakota, Ken and a classmate discovered an Ammonite Fossil, which was the largest found in the world at the time. The fossil was on display at the university museum for many years. Ken was an Eagle Scout at the age of 14 and passed on his love of scouting to his sons by serving as their Scout Master for many years. Troop 316 went on many adventures under Ken's leadership including trips to remote areas of Canada, and the mountains of Montana and Colorado. Ken loved sports and especially enjoyed following his children and grandchildren as they played in high school and college. Ken was a member of Northminster Presbyterian, where he was very active.

He was a manager of the Ace Hardware stores and he was a member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68. He was an avid HCC fan and cheered on the Dragons in football and basketball for many years. Ken taught at Central Junior High and ended his teaching career at HCC, where he taught retail management and then ran the college bookstore. One of Ken's favorite pastimes was playing golf with his HCC buddies and taking golf trips to Oklahoma and various courses around the state.

He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Carol, whom he married on Jan. 4, 1998.

Ken is survived by his wife, Carol; sons, Tim (Andrea) of Hutchinson and Kelly (Diane) of Hutchinson; and by daughters, Tammy Metzler (Mike) of Silver Lake and Julie of Wichita; son-in-law, Randy Stevens of Kingman; stepdaughter, Elaine (Scott) of Louisburg; stepson, Bill Jones of Hutchinson, and stepdaughter, Dori Wonsetler (Marty) of Great Bend. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tyler Siefkes (Bri) of Manhattan, Courtney Siefkes of Leawood, Amy Siefkes of Leawood, Cameron Siefkes of Wichita, Kaitlin Buonfiglio (Gabe); and great-grandson, Gabriel Buonfiglio of El Paso; as well as several step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife Joyce; his daughter, Kerry Stevens; and his brothers, Loren, Harold and Donald.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 700 E. 25th, with Reverend Keith Koch and Chaplain Bob Phipps officiating. Burial will be that afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Cemetery in Hudson, Kan. Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Reno County, Cancer Council of Reno County or to New Covenant Presbyterian Church, in care of the mortuary.