Imogene Dachenhausen

Imogene Dachenhausen, 90, died at home on September 6, 2006 surrounded by family. Born Clara Imogene Drake in 1916 in Miltonvale, Ks, the daughter of the Reverend J.A. and Olive Drake, Imogene lived most of her life in Topeka. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1934 and nurses training at the Stormont School of Nursing in 1946. She completed her degree in theology at Miltonvale Wesleyan College in 1947. Imogene served in the Cadet Nursing Corps, working for the Kentucky Board of Health in Harlan County, KY. While serving there, she adopted Johnny Drake, a 13-month old boy and a great joy to her. After returning to Kansas, she worked at the Santa Fe Hospital and VA Hospital in Topeka. Imogene married BW (Bill) Dachenhausen in 1957. Bill was a widower with three grown children. Bill and Imogene enjoyed family, boating and camping and gardening. After retiring from nursing Imogene embarked on another career. She operated a greenhouse for many years. Her annual flowers and plants gained her the title of The Flower Lady. Johnny was killed in an accident in 1965. Bill died in 1995. Also predeceasing Imogene were her parents, her brothers, Frank Drake and Ed Drake, and her sisters Lucille Ebel, Winnie Johnson and Margaret Duffy. She is survived by her sister, Marian Cagle; her children from her marriage to Bill, Donald Dachenhausen, Marjorie Martin, and Leroy Dachenhausen; 8 grandchildren; 7 nieces and 6 nephews; many great and great-great grandchildren, as well as good friends. Imogenes gifts to each of us, unconditional love and abiding faith, are a comfort to us now and a source of strength for the future. We thank the Lord for blessing our lives with this remarkable woman. Visitation will be at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 1 p.m., followed by the funeral at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice, Helping Hands Humane Society or the Ronald McDonald House of Topeka. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabel.com.