CLAFLIN – Howard Lee Soeken, 80, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood.
He was born May 7, 1932 in rural Claflin, the son of Onno and Minnie (Armbrust) Soeken.
A lifelong Claflin resident, Howard was a retired farmer. He was a graduate of Claflin High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Holyrood, Kansas and a founding member of Beta Sigma Psi at Kansas State University. He was also a Farm Bureau member, past president of the Claflin Golf Course, former school board member, Lions Club member of Claflin and Wichita and a former trustee for the Independent Township.  He served as an officer for Zion Lutheran Church in Claflin.
Howard married Naomi Stadel Dec. 19, 1954 at Pratt. She preceded him in death on Dec. 18, 2010.
Survivors include three sons, Shane Soeken and wife Pam, St. George; Rob Soeken and wife Lori, Great Bend; Matt Soeken and wife Cathy, Claflin; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Wilbur Wayne Soeken and a grandson, Jared Soeken.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Holyrood with Pastor Daniel Harders officiating. Burial will follow at Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington.
Memorials are suggested to Education of Pastors and Teachers for the Kansas District or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home #
415 N. Main/P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS, 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 11, 2013