Thomas ‘Tom’ Albert Penka

Thomas “Tom” Albert Penka, 71, died, Dec. 17, 2023, at KU Med. He was born on Oct. 25, 1952, in Scott City to Clem and Ursuline (Birzer) Penka.

Thomas married Regena (Ellis) Penka on June 12, 1976, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pratt. They were married for 47 years. She survives.

Tom graduated from Pratt High School in 1970. He earned his associate degree from Pratt Community College and his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University.

Tom worked at and owned Penka Accounting since 1976, as well as farming and ranching. He was an auditor for the State of Kansas, Accredited Retirement Advisor, tax preparer, Certified Senior Advisor and later an Enrolled Agent. He also taught evening classes in accounting at Pratt Community College.

Tom was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, and was a fourth degree Knight. He was a member of the Optimist Club, Pratt Jaycees, Pratt County Achievement Board and Public Accountant Association of Kansas where he was president for two years, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Association, auditor for the Miss Kansas Pageant, and on the executive board of the Kanza Co-op.

He enjoyed working, gardening, hunting (especially elk) at the cabin in Colorado, woodworking and attending rodeos. Tom was known for his quick wit, a playful sense of humor, and loved to play jokes on people.

He is also survived by his daughter, Dr. Rachelle Penka McGillicuddy and husband, Sean, Spartanburg, S.C.; brother, David Penka, Kansas City, Mo.; sister, Jeanne Voss, Casa Grande, Ariz.; grandchildren, John Thomas “Jack” McGillicuddy and Estella Grace McGillicuddy; niece, Rachel Broce and husband, Derek, Gilbert, Ariz.; nephew, J.D. Wittig, Costa Mesa, Calif.; and great-nieces, Jadyn Tillman and Juliet Broce.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Alvin Penka.

Visitation will be held Tues., January 2, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with vigil and rosary service beginning at 6:00 p.m., at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt.

Following the Vigil the family will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wed., January 3, 10:00 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pratt with Father Floyd McKinney presiding.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Sacred Heart Catholic Church in care of Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Rd., Pratt, Ks. 67124.

Online condolences may be made at www.larrisonmortuary. com.