Kenneth Hake

Kenneth Hake, the 3 ^rd child born to Theodore & Pauline Hake, was born on May 16, 1933, in his family farm house, near Tipton, KS.  He departed this life of 86 years on Wednesday, July 23, 2019, at the Salina Regional Hospital.

Kenneth is preceded in death by Marcella Hake, his loving wife of 47 years; parents, Theodore & Pauline Hake; great granddaughter, Hallie Hake; brother, Edgar Hake; sister, Mary Ellen Bongiovanni; brother in laws, Lee Schuster, Ed Koenigsman & Bud Bongiovanni; step grandson Anthony Hamel.

Left to cherish his memory are wife, Anita Hake; son Kent Hake & wife Kelli; grandchildren, Chandra Tietjens & husband John; Braden Hake & wife Trisha; great grandchildren, Westin, Tucker & Emma Tietjens, Harrison & Hunter Hake; step children, Terry (Celeste) Hamel, Misty (Shane) Bowman; step grandchildren, Joshlin, Everett, Wade & Carson Hamel; brothers, Monsignor James Hake & Ron Hake (Laura); sisters, Estella Schuster, Elizabeth Gillette (Larry), Diane Palen (Bud), Joan Palen (Nelson) & Darlene Streit (Don).

Kenneth received his formal education from the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Boniface Grade School & Tipton High School, graduating in 1951.  Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy, stationed at Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA.  Kenneth served Active Duty November 16, 1955 – August 4, 1957. He spent 6 months on the South China sea aboard aircraft carrier Bon Homme Richard in 1956, patrolling the Formosa Straits during the Taiwan crisis.

A short time later he returned to Tipton, KS & became a lifetime business entrepreneur. Kenneth married his life-long love, Marcella Eilert, on May 30 ^th , 1958, at St. John the Baptist Church in Beloit, KS.  Kenneth & Marcella were partners in marriage & business working side by side for 47 years.  The two of them enriched the lives of hundreds of families by allowing them the opportunity to return or remain in Tipton for employment.

After a modest start in the TV tower business, Ken began building grain dryers, metal Kent buildings and later started a succession of products for the farm industry through his company Kent Mfg.  With his adventurous spirit & competitive nature, he was always dreaming up a new invention.  In 2001 Ken started a second business, KHK Company, where he built & restored military jeeps and airplanes.  Kenneth received many national awards throughout his career for his talents.

Kenneth was a generous supporter of the Tipton Schools, St. Boniface Catholic Church & community events.  Kenneth loved to share stories about his numerous adventures, play the stock market or a game of craps, spend time with his family and especially enjoyed trips to South Padre Island.

On August 24, 2005, Ken's wife Marcella passed away & Kenneth slowly began to retire.

Kenneth married Anita Gore, of Salina, KS on December 1, 2012, and resided in Salina until his death.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Saturday, July 27 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Tipton. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 PM Friday, July 26 at the Church. Memorials may be given to the Church or Tipton Schools.