SALINA - A.V. "Bud" Palen, 76, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 16, 2020. He was born on December 29, 1943 in Beloit, KS to Victor and Elaine (Remus) Palen of Glen Elder, Kansas.
Bud grew up on the family farm located 8 miles east of Tipton. His boyhood was bootcamp for an impeccable work ethic that would shape his adult life. His formal education began at the Lone Hill one room country school before finishing his high school days at Tipton High School, graduating in 1962. Following graduation he began a 6 year service commitment with the Army National Guard. As a young man, he was always interested in farming, livestock and automobiles. Working next to his father he inherited the love of hard work and would strive to make things better and challenged others to do just the same. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Boniface Church,
On June 1, 1965 he was united in marriage to Diane Hake at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Tipton. To this union were born four children; Brad, Doug, Lisa and Jennifer.
They made their home on a small farm tucked in along the walnut creek, just east of Tipton, next to his childhood home place. His farming operation started with only 300 acres of land, but grew to a much more diversified operation that carried through to the next generation. Bud was an entrepreneur with an adventurous spirit at heart, willing to try new things and take risks. New opportunities and business ventures including; new conservation farming practices, raising pigs, cattle, sheep and and was one of the first farmers in the state of Kansas to raise ostrich, expanding his harvesting operations traveling south during the summer months with his family were just a few of his passions. He never knew a stranger and throughout his career and made many partnerships that developed into dedicated friendships. Shortly after retirement from the family farm, he and Diane relocated to Denver, CO where they served as the property managers of a gated community condominium complex, known as Cherry Hills III, for 11 years before returning to Salina so that they could be closer to the family.
Bud was a kindhearted, faithful and dedicated servant who was always willing to share his knowledge and be a teacher for his sons and daughters that worked alongside him, employees that worked for him, and others needing his help. Family was most important to him, and he treasured each moment that he could spend with them, taking each opportunity to share his talents and knowledge through experiencing time on the family farm, in his workshop, vacationing in the mountains, traveling in his RV or dabbling in new adventures in life. He most recently enjoyed the companionship of his friends through the ROMEO motorcycle club, and newly acquired friendships in the Salina community over the past 10 years.
Left to cherish his memory are wife, Diane of the home; his children; Brad (Sondra), Salina; Lisa (Kevin) Hoffman. Salina; Doug (Tracey), Glen Elder and Jennifer (Rod) Rinker, McPherson. Grandchildren, Nicole (Nathan) Weigel, Austin (Claire) Palen, Chandler (Kaileigh) Hoffman, Lydia & Hannah Hoffman, Blake & Amber Palen, Dylan, Macy, Brady & Carter Rinker, Isaac, Elizabeth & Adam Palen. Great grandchildren Charlie, Jace & Alexander Weigel. Brother Stan (Barb), Glen Elder, KS, and sister Dianne (Mike) Budke, Tipton, KS; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents Victor and Elaine and sister Delores Magette and grandson Joshua Palen. Brother in laws, Louis Magette, Ed Koenigsman, Bud Bongionvanni, Lee Schuster, Edgar Hake & Kenneth Hake. Sister in laws, Marcella Hake and Mert Bongionanni
Visitation will be Sunday 12-5 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary, vigil will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, December 21, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 300 Gambrinus, Tipton. Burial will follow in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of Salina or Tipton Schools, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.