Kenneth H. Kolbe, of Williamsville, NY, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on January 26, 2023, at the age of 90. Beloved husband of the late Audrey (Scheibel) Kolbe; devoted father to Carolyn (Gregory) Gesel and Kevin (Linda) Kolbe; cherished grandfather of Sean (Bauj) Gesel, Jessica (Vincent) Camilleri, and Nicholas Kolbe; and loving great-grandfather to Lily Gesel and Averi Camilleri.
Ken was born in 1932 to the late Henry and Esther (Trefzer) Kolbe of Buffalo, NY. After graduating from Tech High School in 1950, Ken went on to Buffalo State Teachers college where he graduated in 1954 with a BS in Art. He followed his calling and went on to Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Rev. Kenneth Kolbe was ordained into the ministry on May 7, 1957. He returned to Buffalo and served with Rev. Molder at Trinity United Church of Christ on Gold Street from 1957-1959. It was also here, at Trinity, that he married his beloved Audrey in June 1959.
Ken was called to serve at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Sanborn, NY shortly after, and moved his bride out to the country. Kevin was born the following year, Carolyn a year after that. Ken faithfully ministered at St. Paul’s until 1968 when he was called to Faith United Church of Christ in Williamsville. Faith Church was his “home and family” until the day he passed, even though he retired as Pastor in 1997.
Rev. Kolbe was active in many groups at Faith, including Choir, Men’s Fellowship, Nifty 50’s, Music & Worship committee, Sunday School, Dunkirk, Youth Fellowship, Consistory, Bible Study’s, Christian Ed., and the Building Committee, just to name a few. His many talents were displayed in Banners, Puppets, Plays (a few he even wrote himself), Costumes, Centerpieces and Decorations. His favorite hobbies included Gardening, Traveling, Reading, Singing, Art, Cooking, Decorating for Holidays, Scrapbooking, Roller Skating, Meeting Friends for a Meal/Coffee, Local History, and Collecting Giraffes. He also loved animals, especially his beloved dog, Sasha.
Ken was not only a great husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was a friend to all he met, a teacher, a mentor, a leader, a storyteller, a dreamer, and even a jokester. Ken’s love of God and his unwavering Faith touched so many people throughout his ministry and his life. We will all miss him dearly but celebrate knowing he is with our Heavenly Father.
“Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant.”
Please join us to celebrate Ken at a Memorial Service at Faith United Church of Christ, 1300 Maple Rd., Williamsville, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rev. Kolbe’s memory may be made to the Hospice Foundation of WNY, or Faith United Church of Christ.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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