Wesley James Rahjes, son of Louie and Hilda Rahjes, was born October 15, 1927, north of Smithfield, Nebraska. Shortly after, his family moved to Kansas where they resided on several different farms throughout the Agra/Kensington area.
Wesley went to high school in Agra from 1941-1945. He then enlisted with the United States Navy in November 1945, and left for the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. He finished his training in Honolulu, Hawaii. Upon completion, Wesley was then sent to Guam with the Naval Air Transport Service. Later, he was transferred to Seattle, Washington, where he remained in active duty until his honorable discharge in 1949.
Wesley moved back home to begin his civilian life and started working on the farm with his father. On one visit to Frank’s Cafe in downtown Kensington, he met a lovely young woman named Martha Isernhagen, who was working as a waitress. One year later they were married at Zion Lutheran Church in St. Francis, Kansas.
They both resided in Kensington until the Korean War broke out in mid-1950, and Wesley was recalled to active duty. On April 3, 1951, their first child (Ronald) was born. Soon after, Wesley was ordered to leave for Japan and Korea. He returned to the United States in 1952 after his second and final discharge. Wesley and Martha remained in their original home until they were able to buy an 80-acre farm just southeast of Kensington. By February 1956, they were blessed with two more children (Donald and Douglas).
After building their own new house, the family returned to Kensington in 1971. When their three sons graduated college, they each chose to come back home and farm. Wesley enjoyed working alongside his sons, eventually developing a family farm they expanded together. In 1989, Wesley began to gradually retire from farm work. After his retirement, Wesley enjoyed a few part time jobs as well as taking part in the annual harvests. Both Wesley and Martha enjoyed driving around the countryside making routine checks on various facets of the farm and occasionally “sneaking” into harvest suppers.
Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, Louie (Hilda) Rahjes; sisters, Arvella (Rahjes) Riat and Darlene (Rahjes) Miller; Wife, Martha Rahjes. He was survived by three sons, Ron (Cindy), Don (Carol), Doug (Wanda) Rahjes, all of Kensington. He was also survived by 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by numerous relatives, friends, and acquaintances that touched his life over the past 95 years.
Wesley built and left a legacy many of us can only dream of. He will be missed, but not forgotten. It warms our hearts to know he is now free of pain and reunited with the love of his life. Rest in peace, Dad!
—The family of Wesley would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Judy Bates for her compassion and help with Wesley’s health late in his life.
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