IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices

Ben Klenda

Funeral Mass for Benedict Martin “Ben” Klenda, 85, Wichita, who passed away Sept. 6, 2025, will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Wichita.

Rosary will precede Mass at 10 a.m. A graveside service will be afterward, at 3 p.m. at St. John Nepomucene Cemetery, Pilsen.

Born Nov. 8, 1939, in Hillsboro to Martin and Magdalen Klenda, he attended St. John’s Catholic School in Pilsen and St. Procopius Academy and College in Lisle, Illinois.

After teaching for a year in Illinois, he returned to Kansas to help on the family farm.

In 1965, he married Mary Lou Frazier. They shared 60 years of marriage.

Ben devoted his career to education, teaching mathematics at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School and later at Wichita Southeast High School for 25 years.

A passionate sports fan, he coached youth baseball, officiated youth sports, and was deeply involved in his Catholic faith at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; children Kristine (and husband Carl) Davis, Sean Klenda, and Kameron (and husband Christoph) Bausch; grandchildren Drew Elizabeth (and fiancé Kyler Womack), Trey, Jakob, Amelia, Aubrey, and Jordan; five brothers; three sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Memorials have been established with St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Services by Downing and Lahey Mortuary, West Chapel. Share tributes online at www.dlwichita.com.