Kenny E. Blanke

Kenneth Edward "Kenny" Blanke, 95, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell.
Kenny was born September 9, 1929 in Nowata, Oklahoma. He was the son of Herman and Mae (Mason) Blanke. His father worked in the oil fields so they traveled around while he was growing up. He graduated from Alluwe High School in Alluwe, Oklahoma.
Kenny was united in marriage to Pearl J. Hawn in November, 1949. This union was blessed with four children; Gene, Dave, Heidi, and Star. They made their home in Kansas and the Texas panhandle. Later they divorced. He then was united in marriage to Alta F. Golden on March 17, 1967. Alta preceded him in death on June 17, 2000. He then was united in marriage to Doris Knight on October 30, 2000. Doris preceded him in death on March 4, 2023.
Kenny was an owner and operator of Kenway Services in Russell. Before that he owned and operated Tri-City 66 Service Station and the Main and McGee Station. He worked for Phillips Petroleum in Phillips, Texas. Before that, he was a roughneck in the oil fields of Kansas. He was a member of the Assembly of God Churches. Kenny played guitar and sang with his first wife, Pearl in Stinnette, Texas at the assembly of God church. He was a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge and was a Past Potentate of the Isis Shrine club. He belonged to the Nomads Travel Group. He enjoyed the outdoors with his RV, boating, riding motorcycles, taking cruises and was very proud that he and Doris visited all 50 states during their marriage.
Kenny's surviving family include his son Eugene Blanke (Marsha) of Lakehill, Texas; son David Blanke (Patricia) of Florissant, Missouri; daughter Star Blanke (Greg Gates) of Wichita, Kansas; brother Dan Blanke (Lynn) of Shell Knob, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Aron, Jeremy, Kit, Tamara, Patrick, Timothy, Candra, Melissa and Nicole; and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wives; daughter Heidi Blanke; and brothers, Wayne Blanke and Jack Blanke.
Celebration of Kenny's Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Assembly of God – Calvary Chapel of Russell. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday, March 14, 2025 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with the Assembly of God Calvary Chapel. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.