Kenneth E. Prentice

Kenneth E. Prentice, 81, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away on April 18, 2023, at Advent Health Hospital, Shawnee, KS.

Ken was born at Parker, Kansas, in March 1942, to Marjorie R. (Conley) Prentice and Eugene W. Prentice. He was known for his smile, kindness to others and continued interest in nature.

As a youth, he helped out on the family’s small farm with chores, one of which he did not enjoy:  It was his job to milk the cows before he left for school. However, he did enjoy making popcorn… He was only five his first time, using a chair to reach the stove by himself while the family was asleep!

Ken graduated from Parker Rural High School in 1960, and married Carol Stites. They divorced in 1984. Michelle (Prentice) Land and Melinda (Prentice) Haas are children from that union.

He studied at Kansas City Technical College in Kansas City, Missouri, to become an electrician, but decided that was not his passion. Ken’s work history allowed him to hone skills that appealed to Proctor and Gamble Corporation. His work at P & G began in 1972, as a machinist. When meeting people, if asked where he worked, he would say with pride “You know of that little soap company, P & G?” then flash his signature smile. He worked in different areas of P & G over the years, and would talk about making soap, repairing machines, or about developing a maintenance database for the Kansas City plant. In 2002 he became a lead database instructor.

Ken was a member of the Kansas Freemasons, Wyandotte Council #6. He had the leadership honor of “Past Master,” and supported their charitable organizations for over 50 years. He seemed to always volunteer to develop websites or act in leadership roles for various organizations. He was the “go-to guy” for websites developed for the Kansas City Woodcarver Club, the Parker Genealogy Society, and the Parker Community Historical Society.

Numerous other interests kept him busy before and after retirement! He was known to camp, canoe, fish, hunt, build musical instruments and black powder rifles. In the 1980’s he explored the art of woodcarving. As his interest in carving grew, he joined the Kansas City Woodcarvers Club in 1987, where he served as Treasurer, Vice President, and President. It was during this time he met Sandra (McClure) Littge. In 1993, Ken and Sandy planned their wedding when friends and fellow carvers could attend, in the park at Knob Noster, Missouri. Their simple wedding was memorable as the dress code was casual, except for Ken--He had to wear a tux. They spent their honeymoon in Branson, attending a Woodcarving Seminar. Their shared interest in carving allowed Ken to sharpen woodcarving tools, knives, and chisels for carvers in Europe and the United States.

His marriage to Sandy came with bonus children--Dawn (Littge) Gnuthake and Erik Littge. They remember Ken for his smile, and little sayings like “It will be all right,” or “Glad you got to see me” to which Dawn’s response was, “Not as glad as I am!” Today their children call him “Grandpa” and have memories of him fixing their breakfast of “Grandpa‘s Cereal” (which was really just Honey Bunches of Oats). Other sweet memories include that he also made the “Best salads because he only put what I liked in mine!” and “OH, THE CANDY DISH ALWAYS HAD MINTS.”  Another grandchild remarked softly – “Grandpa was patient and kind. He showed me how to set boundaries, and “how you should act with people you love.”

His passing is mourned by his wife Sandy Prentice, Dawn Gnuthake and husband Sonny Gnuthake, Erik Littge, and their respective families. His brothers Donald Prentice and wife Gail Prentice, David Prentice and wife Diane Prentice, and their respective families. Also grieving are his Aunt Marian Hays and Aunt Leola Mundell and their respective families.

Funeral arrangements are with Amos Funeral and Crematorium. Further information may be found on their website:  www.AmosFamily.com.

A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Crossroads Christian Church, 5855 Renner Road, Shawnee, Kansas 66217. The family would appreciate any Memorial Contributions be made in Ken’s name to:  Crossroads Christian Church - 2023 Youth Group Summer Camp Program.

From Crossroads Christian Church Security Team:

“Hey Sandy;

I just wanted to tell you how heartbroken we are about the loss of Ken. He was truly one of the nicest guys you could ever interact with on any given Sunday! We will miss his quiet demeanor and funny comebacks on the topics of the day. We spent many a Sunday discussing the world as it is and where it was going. He always had a boyish grin any time he talked about politics or some silly thing that was happening in our world.

We were blessed to call him friend and be able to give him a hard time, or receive it, any time we were together whether it was church, Prime Time, or just a picnic in the park!  He was easy to talk to and I for one, will really miss that!”