TOPEKA — Ronald ‘Ron’ Wayne Ensle, 84, of Topeka, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
He was born March 24, 1941, in Nevada, Mo., the son of Wayne and Irene (Nuss) Ensle. He graduated from Hoisington High School in 1960. He later attended Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kan. Ron proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army and Army Reserves for more than 30 years being stationed in places such as Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and Baumholder Army Base in Germany. He was deployed for Desert Shield/Desert Storm at Fort Riley Army Base in Fort Riley, Kan.
Ron served his community as a Sergeant with the Great Bend Police Department from 1966-1975. He began working with Town & Country Supermarket, as the floor manager, in Hoisington, Kan. for over 10 years. He retired his working life as the maintenance and groundskeeper at Trinity Lutheran Church, devoting 28 years of exceptional service.
Ron married Janice L. Conner on Nov. 14, 1965 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Hoisington, Kan. Ron and Janice later joined Trinity Lutheran Church of Great Bend, where they were fond members for more than 50 years. After retirement, Ron and Janice moved to Topeka to be near their children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Janice Ensle; sons, Steven Ensle of Greenwood, S.C., Scott (Holland) Ensle of Topeka, and Dan Ensle of Rossville; grandchildren, Eli, Maddison, Connor and Hunter Ensle, and Blythe and Kate Ensle; brother, Charles (Julie) Oakley of Fritch, Texas; and nephew, Richard (Rachael) Ward of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Sharon (Leon) Ward.
Ron loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved his cat Boots. He enjoyed watching and attending sports like KC Royals, KU Jayhawks, and Nascar. In his younger years, he was active in hunting, fishing and target shooting. He enjoyed many vacations to Branson, Mo. with his family.
Services will begin with a visitation from 10: a.m. – 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 at the funeral home Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610. Funeral Service, led by Reverend Gary Teske, will follow beginning at 11 a.m. Ron will be laid to rest, with full military honors, at Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604. Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604 or to Trinity Lutheran Church, 2701 24th St, Great Bend, KS 67530. To share a memory of Ron or leave a special message for his family, visit www.DoveTopeka.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Dove Southwest Chapel
3700 SW Wanamaker Rd.
Topeka, KS 66610
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 2, 2025
