Lennis S. Onken

Lennis S. Onken, 79 of Sioux City, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at a local hospital due to acute leukemia. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 7, 2015 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Reverend Russ Senstad officiating. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in rural Ireton. Visitation will be today, Sunday, December 6th at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present at 6:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service beginning this evening at 7:00 p.m. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com Lennis was born on a farm at rural Ireton, Iowa on April 27, 1936 to Andy and Sidonia (Siege) Onken. He was baptized at his parent’s home at rural Ireton on June 15, 1936. Lennis received his religious instruction and was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ireton in May of 1949. He attended elementary school at Reading Township School #8, and later attended Ireton High School, graduating in 1953. Lennis served in the U.S. Army from 1958 through 1960. He was united in marriage to Eileen Barinsky on June 27, 1959 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Akron, Iowa. They had one child, Brent Onken. Lennis was a longtime member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City, and served many years as an usher and member of the finance committee. He was employed by the Sioux City Iron Company, and was later employed by R.W. Rice Company as Purchasing Manager. He retired in 2002. After retirement, Lennis and Eileen enjoyed spending the winter months in South Texas. Lennis is survived by his wife Eileen; son Brent (Carmen) Onken of Derby, Kansas; three granddaughters Jessica Onken of Gafney, South Carolina, Rachel Onken of Wichita, Kansas, and Sarah Onken of Derby, Kansas; brother Lamont (Drenda) Onken of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. Lennis was preceded in death by his parents, brother Loyce Onken, and sister Larue Wade.