March 20, 1930 – June 28, 2019
Born to Will and Sarah (Lasswell) Angell at the family farm home in Barber County, KS. Growing up on the farm, he attended a one-room schoolhouse, grades 1-8, and graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1948. He earned his undergraduate degree at Northwestern State College, Alva, OK, and his Masters degree in Bio-Chemistry and Human Physiology from Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, KS.
He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed at Camp Pickett, VA, always telling his kids, “I fought the battle of Virginia Beach!” His love of educating young minds spanned 30 years professionally. For 27 years at Center Senior High School, Kansas City, MO, he taught Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and a Horticulture program which he created. He was also an adjunct instructor at Johnson County Community College.
He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America as a troop leader, and was a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Along with his wife, he founded the Pulverschnee Ski Club, where he introduced and shared his love of snow skiing with family, friends, and numerous young people. He served as a member of the Grandview CSD#4 School Board 1973-1975, was part of the Stephen’s Ministry program at Colonial Presbyterian Church, a Master Gardener at Johnson County Extension Center, and served as a Kansas State Ombudsmen.
In 2009, he received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for Hours of Service. Ken enjoyed the outdoors, landscaping, art framing, biking the Johnson County Parks trails, but his biggest joys were the countless runs down the Colorado ski slopes, and time spent with his family.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Will and Sarah Angell, a brother, Allen “Bud” Angell, sisters, Irene Bobb, Eula Jacobs, and Ethyl Mae Wilhite. Survivors are his wife of 64 years, Eva Mae (Wolf Huck) Angell of the home; children: Jill VanderMolen, Overland Park, KS; Don (Debbie) Huck Angell, Raymore, MO; Jan (Bob) Westmoreland, Overland Park, KS; Rene’ (Ed) Kroll, Beverly Hills, FL; grandchildren: Tandi (Mark) Hechler, Shannon (Brian) Smith, Drew (Bety) Angell, Thaddeus (Tessa) Nugent III, Rachael Love (Ryan Coleman), Kalindi VanderMolen (Brandon Novelli), and Jacob VanderMolen; great-grandchildren: Bekah Toone, Matti Toone, Judah Fey, Olivia Smith, Noah Smith, and Thaddeus Nugent IV; many beloved step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Ken’s greatest joy was making memories with his family, telling familiar stories and “bad Dad jokes,” and doting on his grands and greats, who lovingly called him G’pa Grapes.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, July 8, 2:00 p.m. at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO. Ken’s former student, Pastor Bob Lehleitner is officiating. Visitation with the family will directly follow the service. A private Internment at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS, will be held on a later date.
Ken was a participant in the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center Clinical Cohort Study, and memorial donations are requested for their research. Contributions may be sent to our local Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research Clinic, KU ADC, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, marked “Alzheimer's and Dementia Research (03270)” or at www.KUAlzheimer.org. Donations may also be made to: Tallgrass Creek Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships to student staff. 13800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223, Attn: Resident Life.
