Evelyn Engel

Evelyn F. (Butza) Engel, 94, of Oakley, died Sunday, April 17, 2022, at the Halstead Health and Rehabilitation Facility.

She was born September 28, 1927, to Mary (Mueth) and Paul Butza in St. Louis, MO. Evelyn attended school in St. Louis, MO. She attended Hadley Technical High School, in St. Louis, where she specialized in office management. Upon receiving her education, Evelyn worked for Prudential Insurance and worked there till her marriage to Joseph.

While her future husband, Joseph Engel, was studying in St. Louis, their courtship began. They later married Oct. 25, 1952, in St. Louis, Mo. To this union were born three children, Peter, James and Amy.

Upon moving to Oakley, KS, Evelyn worked for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fick Fossil Museum, Stetz’s 5&10, DSNWK, Conoco gas station and Always in Bloom. Evelyn served on the St. Joseph’s Catholic School Board, Western Plains Arts Association and the Oakley Senior Center. Evelyn also volunteered many years with the Annie Oakley 4-H club as a community leader teaching crochet, sewing and knitting.

She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, Altar Society, American Legion Auxiliary, Oakley Country Club, Oakley Senior Center, Oakley Garden Club and past member of the Kansas Chiropractor Association for Spouses. Evelyn knew no strangers and enjoyed many hours playing pitch and pinochle with family and friends. In Halstead she quickly assumed the role of Bingo caller and the residents told many stories of how excellent she did.

Survivors include their three children, Peter (Sue) Engel, of St. Louis, MO, James (Bella) Engel, of Houston, TX, and Amy (Dustin) Hudson, of Halstead, KS; 12 grandchildren, Andrew (Erin) Kaiser, Blake (Amber) Hudson, Brandon Kafarela, Allison Engel, Ashley Engel, Alexandra (Jeremy) Walters, Gabrielle Engel, Chase Hudson, Trey Hudson, Carter Tuttle, Nat Engel and Cooper Tuttle and four great grandchildren, Oliver Kaiser, Amelia Walters, Charlotte Kaiser and Autumn Walters.

She was preceded in death by her parents: husband Joseph; one sister, Alvina; and one brother, Wilfred.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 2:00 pm with Fr. Luke Thielen officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., Friday, April 22, 2022, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Burial to take place following the services at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Oakley. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Masses, or St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com