LYONS — Janene Laurie (Skelton) Soeken, 68, passed away at University of Kansas Hospital in Great Bend, Kan. on Jan. 15th, 2024. Born in Larned, Kan. on Jan. 13th, 1956 she was the daughter of Charles Harlan and Mary Alice (Hole) Skelton. A Larned HS graduate and resident until 1981 she moved to Ellinwood and married Steve Soeken on Oct. 17, 1981 at St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood. 

Memberships include St. John Lutheran Church, Altar Guild, and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Janene also donated her time to her local food bank. 

Survivors include husband, Steve Soeken, Ellinwood, Kan.; mother, Mary Alice Skelton from Larned, Kan.; sons, Craig (Kate) Soeken, McPherson, Kan. and Adam (Kyle) Soeken, Galva, Kan.; brother, Jay (Beth) Skelton, Perry, Kan.; sister, Karen (Keith) Rudolph, Montgomery, Ala. Additional survivors include beloved grandchildren Mollie and Claire and Allie and Elynn Soeken. Janene was preceded in death by her father. 

Funeral service will take place 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19th at St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood with Pastors Thomas Thierfelder and Kenton Abbott officiating. Interment will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood. Visitation will take place Thursday, Jan. 18th 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6-7 at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested towards St. John Lutheran Church Altar Guild in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel

P.O. Box 246

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 18, 2024