Raymond P. “Beans” Kokenge, 85, of Onaga, KS, formerly of Seneca, died Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Golden Acres Nursing Home in Onaga.

He was born June 27, 1925 on a farm north of Seneca, the son of Lawrence F. and Frances R. Rilinger Kokenge. He grew up in the Seneca area and attended Sts. Peter and Paul Schools.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August of 1943 and served in the South Pacific during WWII. He was an aviation machinist mate with a combat aircraft unit on the aircraft carrier the USS Ranger. He was discharged on March 19, 1946.

He returned to Seneca and worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Kansas and Wyoming for several months. He was then employed by the Wassenberg Construction Company of Seneca for 3 years and then worked several years for the Anderson-Oxendale Rock Quarries of Holton.

In the spring of 1956, “Beans,” as he was known, began working with the Kansas Fish and Game Department and did construction work throughout the state building boat docks, restrooms in parks and a wide variety of other projects for the department. He retired from the Fish and Game Department in June of 1990 as a supervisor in the NE Kansas area. While with the Fish and Game Department, he lived in Manhattan and Topeka, KS; following his retirement he made his home in Onaga.

Beans was a life member of the Earle W. Taylor Post #21, the American Legion, and the Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in Seneca. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Beans married Rosalie A. Babb Rusche on July 28, 1973; she preceded him in death on June 4, 1974.

He is survived by his companion of many years, Mavis N. “Deanie” Fager of Onaga; his brother, Elmer Kokenge of Rossville, KS; three sisters, Sr. Geraldine Kokenge SSJ, of Concordia, KS, Helen Lord of Rossville, KS and Lorine “Peggy” Warner of Pembroke, MA; four step-children, Keith Fager of Lenexa, KS; Kathy Barr, of Lawrence, KS; Mark Fager of Kansas City, MO; and Brian Fager of Onaga; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Tuesday, December 7, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given in Beans’ memory to Sts. Peter & Paul Nature Park Fund, Grace Hospice, or Golden Acres Activity fund.