Howard Lee Soeken, 80, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood, Kansas. He was born May 7, 1932 in rural Claflin, Kansas the son of Onno and Minnie (Armbrust) Soeken. A lifelong Claflin resident, Howard was a retired farmer. He was a graduate of Claflin High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Kansas State University. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Holyrood, Kansas and a founding member of Beta Sigma Psi at Kansas State University. He was also a Farm Bureau member, past president of the Claflin Golf Course, former school board member, Lions Club member of Claflin and Wichita and a former trustee for the Independent Township. He also served as an officer for Zion Lutheran Church in Claflin. Howard married Naomi Stadel on December 19, 1954 at Pratt, Kansas. She preceded him in death on December 18, 2010. Survivors include three sons, Shane Soeken and wife Pam of St. George, Kansas, Rob Soeken and wife Lori of Great Bend, Kansas, Matt Soeken and wife Cathy of Claflin; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Wilbur Wayne Soeken and grandson, Jared Soeken. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2013 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Holyrood with Pastor Daniel Harders officiating. Burial will follow at Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to Education of Pastors and Teachers for the Kansas District or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.