Keith A. Rohrke

Keith Allen Rohrke, 57, of Topeka, Kansas died July 10, 2007 at his home.

Mr. Rohrke was born on March 26, 1950 in Wayne, Nebraska the son of Fred E. and Martha (Thompson) Rohrke.  He graduated from Kemper Military School and College in Booneville, Missouri.  He also attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Keith lived in Omaha prior to moving to Topeka in 1993.  From 1977 until 1992 he worked as a Machinist for Roe Machine and Pattern Works in Omaha.  In 1993 he came to work as a Machinist for the B.N.S.F. Railroad.  He was a member of the I.A.M.A.W. Union.

Keith loved to tinker with engines and enjoyed helping others.  He will be remembered as a person who was conscious of the Earth and loved trains and playing games.  He was  a great croquet player.  Keith loved children, especially spending time with his own children and grandchildren.

He married Jacqueline A. Tylski in Omaha, Nebraska on January 12, 1975.  She survives.  He is also survived by a daughter Martha Jeffery and her husband Donnie and their son David of Grand Prairie, Texas; by a son Jeffrey and his son Kaleb, and by two sons Stephen and Joseph all of Topeka.  He is also survived by sisters, Joann Bergquist of Scottsdale, Arizona, Diann Schroeder of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Marlene Pantos and husband Alex of Tecumseh, and by a brother Neal Rohrke and his wife Helen of Peck, Kansas, four brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.  He will be missed by many family and friends.

Mr. Rohrke will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where a Parish Prayer Service will be recited at 7:00 p.m. followed by the family receiving friends until 9:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Matre Dei’s Assumption Parish.  Interment will follow in Penwell-Gabel’s Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to Midland Hospice Care, Inc. or to the American Cancer Society and sent in care of the funeral home, 800 West Sixth, Topeka, Kansas  66603.