Constance (Connie) Ann Engelken Hermesch, 89, of Seneca, Kansas died on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.

Connie was born on a farm, southwest of St. Benedict, Kansas, on February 12, 1935, to Albert and Helen (Fangman) Engelken. She attended school in St. Benedict and graduated from St. Benedict High School in May 1953.  She was her senior class president and Valedictorian. After graduation, she selflessly gave up a full-ride college scholarship to help her parent’s family and farm.

She married George Hermesch on February 13, 1956, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, Kansas.  Connie was a homemaker and raised her family southeast of Kelly.  She was a model farmer’s wife, working hard to support the farm and maintain a bustling household that included 12 onery children. She was self-sufficient in that she kept an enormous garden and processed chicken, beef and pork that fed a family of 14 throughout the year.  While living in Kelly, she was a member of St. Bede’s Catholic church.  She volunteered there as a quilter and religion teacher. Connie also served on the County Election Board for many years.

She moved to Seneca Kansas in 1999.  In her retirement, Connie loved to embroider, crochet, play cards, and was a competitive board game player (particularly with her grandkids).  She also enjoyed spending time with her family.  Connie started each day reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee and completing every word puzzle.  Connie was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church where she volunteered in Perpetual Adoration.

She was preceded in death by her husband George on May 8, 1986; a son, Donald on November 13, 1992; a great grandson, Peyton Topping; sisters, Irene Lawrence and Georgina Glissman; and brothers, Stephen Engelken, Quentin Engelken and Rene Engelken.

Connie is survived by her four daughters, Gail Schmitz (David) of Holton, Kansas, Kim Kreher (Tom) of Smithton, Illinois, Pamela Hermesch of Shawnee, Kansas and Christie Henry (Jason) of Glendale, Missouri; and her seven sons, Dean Hermesch (Denise) of Olpe, Kansas, Joseph Hermesch (Jennifer) of Goff, Kansas, Jerald Hermesch (Gail) of Centralia, Kansas, Leo Hermesch (Jennifer) of Eureka, Kansas, Leon Hermesch (Alice) of Goff, Kansas, Douglas Hermesch (Marcia) of Belvue, Kansas and Greg Hermesch (Tish) of Kelly, Kansas; brothers Virgil Engelken of Seneca, Kansas, Linus Engelken of Bucyrus, Kansas, and Thomas Engelken of Topeka, Kansas; sisters Rita Kastens of Topeka, Kansas, Lois Kuckelman of Axtell, Kansas and Joan Engelken of Topeka, Kansas; and 26 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Friday, November 1, 2024, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Saturday, November 2, 2024, at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly.

Memorials given in Connie’s memory may be left to the Kelly Heritage Fund and sent in care of the family.