Walter Michael “Mike” Gengler, 63, Iola, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, at Allen County Regional Hospital.
Mike was born Feb. 22, 1952, in Beloit, the son of Frederick Michael and Agnes Marie (Krall) Gengler. He attended schools in Wichita and graduated from Wichita State University. On Dec. 16, 1972, Mike married Mary Ellen Malcolm in Wichita. They had a daughter, Christina Marie, born in 1976 in Wichita and then a son, Matthew Michael, born in 1977 in Beloit. They lived in Perry, Okla., where Mike worked for Ditch Witch, until moving to Cawker City in 1984 to be near his parents. In 1986 he moved to Beloit where he worked for Sunflower Manufacturing. Mike moved to Iola in 1993 and worked for K.D.O.T. as an engineering technician before retiring.
He enjoyed spending time with his friends, playing cards and chess, home projects, fixing up cars, riding his motorcycle, and playing his bass guitar in several bands.
Mike was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
His wife survives, as do a son, Matthew Gengler and wife Tracy, Iola; a daughter, Tina Sollars and husband Drew, Olathe; a sister, Martha Green and husband Marty, Dalzell, S.C.; two grandchildren, Julia and Fred Sollars; and niece and nephew, Veronica and Nick Green.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation has taken place.
The rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola with the mass to follow at 10:30. Inurnment will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Gas.
Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapels are in charge of arrangements.
To sign the guest book online or to leave a condolence go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Mike Gengler
