In Memory Of
John Donald Achten
1928
2017
John Donald Achten
March 2, 1928 — November 22, 2017
John Donald Achten, 89, Topeka, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2017.
He was born March 2, 1928, in Sabetha, Kansas, the son of Frederick and Anna (Stolzenberger) Achten.
He graduated from Wetmore High School in 1946 and attended Washburn University. John was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Korean War.
He grew up on a farm and continued farming for most of his working life. After moving to Topeka in 1976, he held several jobs including Property Management, Real Estate, and transporting and coordinating drivers for local car dealerships.
John was a member of the First Christian Church, Topeka since 1980. He was also a member of the Circleville Masonic Lodge #20 where he was a Master Mason. He then joined the Arab Shrine in Topeka where he was a charter member of the Legion of Honor. John had previously been a member of the Brown County Watershed Board. He was a long-time member of the American Legion, where he served as District Commander while living in Wetmore, and a member of the Shawnee County Past Commanders Association. John loved to fly and for a long time held a private pilot's license. John also loved music and sang in several church choirs over the years, including the choir at First Christian Church.
John married Connie Smith on November 12, 1955 in Sabetha. Together they had six children: Kimberlee Davis Kellerhouse, Darcy Achten, David Achten (Laura), Kelly Eakes (Brandon), Donald Achten (deceased) and Gregory Achten (Jenny). They later divorced. On June 10, 1978 he married Glendora Donart Stewart in Topeka. This blended family included four step-children: Bobbie Motherwell (deceased), David Stewart, Donald Stewart, Jr. and Ann Stewart.
Survivors include five of his children; two brothers: George Achten (Helen, deceased) and Kenny Achten (Betty); five grandchildren: Stephanie Achten Redmon (Dutch), Paul Davis, Matthias Achten, Corbin Eakes and Logan Eakes; one step-grandson: Gregory Kellerhouse; and four great-grandchildren. In his marriage to Glendora, along with four step-children, he gained numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Glendora; son, Donald Achten; son-in-law, James Davis; sister in-law, Helen Achten; and step-son, Bobbie Motherwell.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, Kansas 66604, followed by a Memorial Service and Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. Private inurnment will be at a later date at the Granada Cemetery, Granada, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Aldersgate Village Good Samaritan Fund, Great Lakes Hospice, or First Christian Church.
Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is assisting the family.
To leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born March 2, 1928, in Sabetha, Kansas, the son of Frederick and Anna (Stolzenberger) Achten.
He graduated from Wetmore High School in 1946 and attended Washburn University. John was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Korean War.
He grew up on a farm and continued farming for most of his working life. After moving to Topeka in 1976, he held several jobs including Property Management, Real Estate, and transporting and coordinating drivers for local car dealerships.
John was a member of the First Christian Church, Topeka since 1980. He was also a member of the Circleville Masonic Lodge #20 where he was a Master Mason. He then joined the Arab Shrine in Topeka where he was a charter member of the Legion of Honor. John had previously been a member of the Brown County Watershed Board. He was a long-time member of the American Legion, where he served as District Commander while living in Wetmore, and a member of the Shawnee County Past Commanders Association. John loved to fly and for a long time held a private pilot's license. John also loved music and sang in several church choirs over the years, including the choir at First Christian Church.
John married Connie Smith on November 12, 1955 in Sabetha. Together they had six children: Kimberlee Davis Kellerhouse, Darcy Achten, David Achten (Laura), Kelly Eakes (Brandon), Donald Achten (deceased) and Gregory Achten (Jenny). They later divorced. On June 10, 1978 he married Glendora Donart Stewart in Topeka. This blended family included four step-children: Bobbie Motherwell (deceased), David Stewart, Donald Stewart, Jr. and Ann Stewart.
Survivors include five of his children; two brothers: George Achten (Helen, deceased) and Kenny Achten (Betty); five grandchildren: Stephanie Achten Redmon (Dutch), Paul Davis, Matthias Achten, Corbin Eakes and Logan Eakes; one step-grandson: Gregory Kellerhouse; and four great-grandchildren. In his marriage to Glendora, along with four step-children, he gained numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Glendora; son, Donald Achten; son-in-law, James Davis; sister in-law, Helen Achten; and step-son, Bobbie Motherwell.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, Kansas 66604, followed by a Memorial Service and Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. Private inurnment will be at a later date at the Granada Cemetery, Granada, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Aldersgate Village Good Samaritan Fund, Great Lakes Hospice, or First Christian Church.
Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is assisting the family.
To leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Donald Achten, please visit our flower store.
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