Micah Lynn Ankenman

He was born December 7, 1988, in Newton, Kansas to Tom and Connie (Olson) Ankenman.

Micah graduated from Hutchinson High School and Kansas State University earning his bachelor’s degree in graphic design. He worked as a graphic designer and web designer coder.

His children- Kilian and Anna- were the lights of his life. Micah was a naturalist, gifted artist (drawing, painting, sculpture), a pretty decent harmonicist and generous spirit helping his fellow people. He loved fishing and the ocean.

Micah was a caring soul. He showed compassion and love to all people he met. He was an amazing son, father, brother, friend and teammate.

He is survived by his parents; children; brothers, Thad (Krista) Ankenman of Olathe, KS; and Adam Ankenman of Hutchinson, KS; grandmother, Marie Mitchell of Hutchinson, KS; niece, Nora; nephew, Charlie; Lucky the Lab, Aussie Oliver and Toast the Cat.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather.

Cremation has taken place. A private family internment will take place at a later date. There will be a Celebration of Life also at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Dillon Nature Center Summer Programs or the Micah Ankenman Memorial Fund to benefit the Children’s Education in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

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He married Abigail Degner and later divorced. He was with Casey for several years and she enriched his and his children’s lives. She blessed his family with many lovely pictures showing his deep love for his kids.

Honors and recognition

Micah led his class as president for several years at Hutch High. He was well loved by classmates and other students. Micah was kind to everyone he met and would go out of his way to help others. He was an honor society member, junior and senior leader, and won scholarships and awards for his amazing sculptures, drawings, and paintings. As an adult, he painted and sold those paintings to others. He enjoyed painting sea life, people and characters from movies. He was happiest when doing his art or showing techniques to his children.

Sports

Micah was in many sports beginning at an early age. He lettered in all of them and placed at state in most of them. He participated in weight-lifting, cross country, Pole vaulting and wrestling. He gave his best, was an awesome sport and role model and hoped his son, Kilian, would try one of his sports someday.

Hobbies

Micah was born a naturalist. He spent hours outside investigating all that nature had to offer. He had many lizards, snakes, cats, dogs, ducks, and what ever else he discovered to bring inside and learn about. He fell in love with the ocean and all the creatures there. He enjoyed having a salt water tank and eventually even grew his own coral. His biggest pleasure was just fishing. He always had a pole and tackle in the vehicle and would pull over and throw out a line whenever he could. As a boy, he loved Dillon Nature Center and spent many happy hours there. His ashes are a part of that pond now. He has a memory brick near the bench as you walk toward the children’s play area.

Another hobby he enjoyed was ax throwing. He and Casey and her mom spent some fun times together doing that.

Faith/religion

Micah was soft-spoken and compassionate. He never believed he was good enough to be saved. He was a Christian and loved Jesus but felt he was undeserving of his love. The last year of his life was very difficult as he suffered greatly with depression, physical problems and alcoholism. He prayed daily, as his family did for him to be released from that. We just didn’t realize he would have to die for that to happen. Micah would hope that others watch for those in need of love, compassion, acceptance, and above all kindness without judgment. He often spent time with homeless people, just visiting and hanging out. Giving them a snack and most of all his time. Micah understood how loneliness felt.

Work

Micah did many jobs in his lifetime. He would tell you the job he loved most was as a designer for TANK, his brother Thad’s company. He truly wanted nothing more than to be like Thad as a kid and he was happier working there than anywhere else he worked. He would’ve thrived on a beach doing art too.

Parenthood

Micah was the proud parent of two children, Kilian and Anna. He was so proud of them always. He saved most of their art, notes, etc. He was sentimental about their things. Micah loved them with his whole being and

Only felt whole when they were a part of his life. He was doing all he could to get well but it was not to be. He was a loving, patient and caring dad.

Pets

Micah had a variety of pets in his life. He loved and cared for them all. He often took on more critters than he could handle. Trey, his beloved Aussie, is buried with him at Odense. Kilian thanked Grandma for doing that so his daddy would not be alone. Micah requested that mom take his current animals, Lucky, Oliver and Toast. He knew they would be loved and that they would love his mom when she needed it most.

Travels

Micah was asked to go on many trips with friends. He was well loved and behaved so he went places.Washington D.C., Oregon, Maine, Colorado among a few. The family also had several trips:Key West, Disney World, Black Hills, Yellowstone, Panama City and St. Petersburg Fl. He traveled for work but seldom enjoyed those trips. He did like new experiences and meeting new people.

Friends

Micah was blessed with having some great friends as he grew up. Two in particular were Adam Burton and Spencer Torres. These guys loved Micah and probably were up to mischief with him most of the time. They honored Micah by coming to his scatter at sea and saying a final farewell. Then they went fishing! Micah’s wishes!