In Memory Of
Theodore Dennis Ensley
1935
2023
Theodore Dennis Ensley
December 4, 1935 — March 9, 2023
Theodore D. "Ted" Ensley, 87, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ted was born December 4, 1935, in Frankfort, Kansas, the son of Roy and Freda (Johnson) Ensley. He graduated from Vermillion High School 1953 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1961. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1953 to 1955.
Ted was employed by Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Department for 31 years, from 1961 to 1992. During that time he was also the first manager of the Kansas Expocentre. Ted was appointed Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks in 1992 to 1995. Ted was elected to the Shawnee County Commission in 1998, serving until 2014.
One of Ted's greatest honors was the naming of the world-class Ted Ensley Botanical Gardens in 1992.
Ted was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Topeka for over 50 years as a heritage member of the congregation, serving on various committees and as council president many times. He was a member of the Arab Shrine (where he was named 1999's Shriner of the Year and a charter member of the Boaters' Unit) and Masonic Lodge #17. He was president of the Kansas Association of Counties and is a member of the Kansas Parks and Recreation Hall of Fame.
Ted married Elna N. Nelson on October 20, 1956 in Manhattan, Kansas. She survives, along with their children Douglas Terry Ensley (Sue) of Athens, GA, Kathleen Denise Cheatham (Heath) of Topeka, KS and Constance Denise Hermreck (Scott) of Wellsville, KS; grandchildren Ian Ensley (Sarah), Dahnika Short (Hazen), Bethany Sherrer (Adam), Alexis Cheatham, and Blake Cheatham; great-grandchildren Isaac, Noah, and Caroline Ensley, Naomi Cheatham, Lauren Sherrer, Matilda and Frances Short; siblings Donald Ensley (Barbara), Linda Opat (Tom) and Patricia Yurk (Arnold); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings LeRoy Ensley and Beverlee Fairchild.
Ted enjoyed traveling – especially to Europe, Scandinavia and the Holy Land – hunting, fishing, playing golf and playing with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He also loved riding combines and helping with the harvest.
There will be a celebration of life at the Ted Ensley Botanical Gardens on Friday, April 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A memorial ceremony will be held on Friday, April 14th at 4:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church at 1234 SW Fairlawn Road. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parks for All Foundation for the Ted Ensley Botanical Gardens, 3137 SE 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66605; First Lutheran Church, 1234 SW Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS 66604; or Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.
Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To share your memories of Ted or to leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Ted was born December 4, 1935, in Frankfort, Kansas, the son of Roy and Freda (Johnson) Ensley. He graduated from Vermillion High School 1953 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1961. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1953 to 1955.
Ted was employed by Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Department for 31 years, from 1961 to 1992. During that time he was also the first manager of the Kansas Expocentre. Ted was appointed Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks in 1992 to 1995. Ted was elected to the Shawnee County Commission in 1998, serving until 2014.
One of Ted's greatest honors was the naming of the world-class Ted Ensley Botanical Gardens in 1992.
Ted was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Topeka for over 50 years as a heritage member of the congregation, serving on various committees and as council president many times. He was a member of the Arab Shrine (where he was named 1999's Shriner of the Year and a charter member of the Boaters' Unit) and Masonic Lodge #17. He was president of the Kansas Association of Counties and is a member of the Kansas Parks and Recreation Hall of Fame.
Ted married Elna N. Nelson on October 20, 1956 in Manhattan, Kansas. She survives, along with their children Douglas Terry Ensley (Sue) of Athens, GA, Kathleen Denise Cheatham (Heath) of Topeka, KS and Constance Denise Hermreck (Scott) of Wellsville, KS; grandchildren Ian Ensley (Sarah), Dahnika Short (Hazen), Bethany Sherrer (Adam), Alexis Cheatham, and Blake Cheatham; great-grandchildren Isaac, Noah, and Caroline Ensley, Naomi Cheatham, Lauren Sherrer, Matilda and Frances Short; siblings Donald Ensley (Barbara), Linda Opat (Tom) and Patricia Yurk (Arnold); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings LeRoy Ensley and Beverlee Fairchild.
Ted enjoyed traveling – especially to Europe, Scandinavia and the Holy Land – hunting, fishing, playing golf and playing with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He also loved riding combines and helping with the harvest.
There will be a celebration of life at the Ted Ensley Botanical Gardens on Friday, April 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A memorial ceremony will be held on Friday, April 14th at 4:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church at 1234 SW Fairlawn Road. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parks for All Foundation for the Ted Ensley Botanical Gardens, 3137 SE 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66605; First Lutheran Church, 1234 SW Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS 66604; or Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.
Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To share your memories of Ted or to leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Theodore Dennis Ensley, please visit our flower store.
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