Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Bernardine E. Rettele
Bernardine E. Rettele, 88, Seneca, KS, died late Thursday evening, March 11, 2004, at Life Care Center in Seneca. She had been a resident there since April of 2000.
She was born April 4, 1915, at Kelly, KS, the daughter of John Bernard “Barney” and Wilhelmina Rethman Holthaus. When she was four years old, her mother died, and she went to live with her Aunt Josephine Vondemkamp and family. Bernardine grew up in Kelly and attended St. Bede’s School.
On February 25, 1936, she married
Ignatius J. “Nate” Rettele at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. They lived and farmed east of Centralia for 46 years. In February of 1983 they moved into Seneca. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1986. Her husband, Nate, died November 12, 1987,
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church, and a former active member of St. Bede’s Church. Bernardine had a warm personality, loved the people of Kelly, and what the young people were doing. She and Nate had enjoyed playing cards with their friends. She treasured her good friend, Velma Hulsing.
Survivors include a brother, John Holthaus of Marysville. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother and sister who died as young children, Elizabeth and Frank Holthaus, and another brother, Henry Holthaus on June 22, 1993.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10 A.M. Monday at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. Burial will be at the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 2 and 7 P.M. Sunday at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca where she will lie in state after 8:30 A.M. on Sunday.
Memorials may be given for the Equipment Fund at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca, 66538.
Bernice H. Rettele
Bernice H. Rettele, 83, of Centralia, Kansas, died Saturday evening, May 26, 2007 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, after a brief illness.
She was born east of St. Benedict, Kansas, on May 3, 1924, the daughter of Bernard J. and Pauline Runnebaum Osterhaus. Bernice graduated 8th grade from Rock School, attended the Seneca Public School for two years, and then began helping area families in their homes. She also worked for Paramount Cleaners in Seneca for three years.
On May 6, 1946, she married
Anthony A. “Bucky” Rettele at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed northeast of Kelly for two years and then moved to the farm where they spent their lives, three miles east of Centralia. The couple had one son, Robert.
After 46 years of marriage, her husband Bucky preceded her in death on December 11, 1992. Bernice continued to live on the farm with her son until August of 2005 when became a resident of Crestview Manor care home in Seneca.
Bernice was a member of St. Bede’s Catholic Church and St. Ann's Altar Society at the church in Kelly.
Bernice was a dedicated employee at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, working in the laundry department for 25 years.
She was a private individual who treasured her son. She had many hobbies and enjoyed a good card game. She was very talented at embroidering and crocheting. Embroidering projects included sets of hand towels, which she donated to the church and gave to family and friends. She was also an avid quilter, working entirely by hand. She had just completed her last quilt this April. If she wasn't doing quilting, embroidering, or ceramics, she also stayed busy in the garden, transplanting and starting her beautiful African violets.
Bernice is survived by her son Robert “Bob” of Centralia; a brother Gilbert Osterhaus of Seneca; and three sisters, Lucille Winkler and Edna "Eddy" Love, both of Seneca, and Edith Kongs of Wetmore.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother Leonard Osterhaus.
Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Wednesday, May 30, at St. Bede's Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital or St. Bede’s Church, and sent in care of the family.
Wyatt Aloysius Rettele
Wyatt Aloysius Rettele, son of Joyce Wempe and Morgan Rettele of St Louis, Missouri, was stillborn May 9, 2001, at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, Creve Coeur, Missouri.
Survivors besides his parents are grandparents Rita and Paul Wempe and Rosemary Rettele all of Seneca.
A visitation will be held at the Schrader Funeral Home at Balwin, Missouri, at 7 P.M. Monday May 14. There will be a rosary at 7 P.M. Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, Kansas. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 16 at 10:30 A.M. at the funeral home in Seneca. The burial will be in Sts. Peter & PaulCemeteryat Seneca.
Merle A. Rhoades
Merle A. Rhoades, 81, of Seneca, formerly of Culbertson, NE, died Sunday, October 26, 2003, at Crestview Manor in Seneca where he had been a resident since 1987.
He was born September 18, 1922, at Culbertson, the son of George and Fairy Seybold Rhoades. He attended District 20 Grade School and graduated from Culbertson High School in 1939. Merle worked for the CB & O Railroad as a fireman before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. He served during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1944. He spent time in Veteran’s Hospitals in Downey, IL and Topeka before he entered Crestview Manor.
He was married
to Elma Jean Taylor March 22, 1942 at Oberlin, KS. They were later divorced.
His memberships include the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6219 and the American Legion both at Culbertson. He had enjoyed boxing in his younger days and boxed in the Golden Gloves Contest sponsored by the McCook Elk’s Club. While he was hospitalized, he reached out to others and volunteered over 14, 000 hours for the benefit of veterans. He received recognition numerous times for his volunteer service with the Veteran’s Administration.
Survivors are his son, Michael Rhoades, Rancho Cordova, CA; two brothers, Earl Rhoades, Amarillo, TX, and Wayne Rhoades, Union City, CA; two sisters, Barbara Almond, Elizabeth, CO, and Maxine Talley, Culbertson.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Emma Rhoades and LaVaughn Anderson, and two brothers, William and Glenn Rhoades.
Funeral services will be Thursday, October 30, 2003, at 11 A.M. at the Carpenter Breland Chapel in McCook, NE. Burial will be in the CulbertsonCemeterywith the Culbertson VFW providing an honor guard.
Memorials may be given for the American Cancer Society and sent in care of the family.
Lauer Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.
Albert Dean Rial
Albert Dean Rial, 79, of Seneca, passed from this life into the arms of his savior the Lord Jesus Christ on April 25, 2014, at M.D. Anderson Leukemia Center, Houston, Texas. Dean was born on December 12, 1934, in Evansville, IND; the only child of Robert Worford and Agnes Lucille Perkins Rial. After graduating from San Marcus Academy High School, he attended Texas A&M University where participated in intramurals wresting, served as a Company A-AAA Commander and earned a double degree in Petroleum and Geological Engineering, he was in the class of 1956. Dean married
Darlann Swayze of Ashland, Kansas on August 12, 1956 at the United Methodist Church.
He served as a 2nd LT. in the United States Army on active duty at Fort Lee, Virginia, followed by 20 years in the active reserves, graduating from the war college, recruiting for west point and retiring from the r75th MAC as a Colonel.
Upon graduation from Texas A&M, he was employed by Magnolia Oil Company and then by Mobil Oil, and then by Tenneco Oil Company, and retiring with the Tennessee Gas Company, Tenngasco. After retirement Dean was employed as the first City Administrator in Ashland, Kansas and then as the City Administrator of Seneca, Kansas; followed by a career as a certified financial advisor. He graciously served his community and his family. He was actively involved in his church for over 58 years, he served as Volunteer Scout leader, as a youth sports coach and an umpire, he also served on political, commerce, rural Economic development, various municipal improvement, and Historical Preservation Boards. At the time of his passing, he was a board member of the Rural Development Association and a deacon of the New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca, where he found God’s Sovereign Grace.
He is survived by his loving family, his devoted wife of 57 years, Darlann Swayze Rial of Seneca; their four children, Robert Mitchell (Maria) Rial, Michea Rial Ford, Texas, William Darl (Kelly) Rial of Texas and Ann-Elizabeth (Shawn) Rial Smith of Texas; ten grandchildren, Austin Robert (Lisa) Rial of Colorado, John (Heather) Ford of Texas., Ann Elizabeth (Ben) Suther of Colorado, Klaire Rial of Colorado; Hamilton (Candice) Ford of Texas, Jacob Rial, Rebekah Rial, Nathanael Rial of Texas, Sydney and Annette Smith of Texas; and one great-grandchild, Avery Elizabeth Ford of Texas.
He was a marvelous husband father, grandfather and a great-grandfather with wise and kind consul and had a copious sense of humor. He will be missed beyond measure, but there will be rejoicing in Heaven where he will be for all eternity, face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior who died on the cross in his place.
A schedule visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral services, which are at 11 A.M. Friday, May 2, 2014, at the New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca. The local Veteran of Foreign War and the American Legion will conduct a salute here after the services. Burial will be in the HighlandCemeteryin Ashland, Kansas on May 3, 2014 and 11:00 A.M. with military full military honors by Fort Riley.
For those wishing to remember Dean, the family request donations to the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association, the Nemaha County Military Museum, and/or the New Hope Baptist Church.
Franklin E. "Gene" Riggins
Franklin E. “Gene” Riggins, Sr., 87, Centralia, KS, died late Saturday afternoon, April 3, 2004, at Life Care Center in Seneca, KS.
He was born March 10, 1917, at Scandia, KS, the son of Roy and Mamie Eastman Riggins. Gene grew up in Jamestown, KS, and graduated from high school there in 1935. He attended Wichita State where he played half back on the varsity football team. Gene enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served in the communications division as a telegrapher on the U.S.S. Appalachian AGC1 in the South Pacific until 1946 when he was discharged.
On June 10, 1946, he married
Mildred A. “Millie” Broz at Pine City, MN. They moved to Centralia where Gene was employed by the Missouri Pacific Railroad at the depot as a telegrapher. He retired in the early 1980s. Gene had a farm where he kept cattle and did gardening. His wife, Millie, died February 27, 2000.
His memberships include the First Congregational Church and the Armstrong-Moyer Post #216 of the American Legion at Centralia, and the Masonic Lodge #39 A. F. & A.M for over 60 years at Seneca. Gene encouraged his sons to participate in all sports and was their avid fan throughout their high school, college, and professional careers. He and Millie liked to travel, and often attended his ship reunions in San Diego. Besides reading, he also enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially with his sons.
Survivors are three sons, Frank Riggins, Jr. of Vienna, VA, John Riggins of New York City, and Bill Riggins of Bucyrus, KS; and 5 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 1 P.M. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church at Centralia. The burial will be in the CentraliaCemeterywith military honors by a detail from Fort Riley and the American Legion. The family will meet with friends from 7 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for the Centralia Library or for the American Cancer Society and sent in care of the family.
Alice A. Rilinger
Alice A. Rilinger, 69, of Seneca, Kansas, died Tuesday, November 14, 2000, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. Her death was due to complications of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) which she was diagnosed with in 1990.
She was born June 13, 1931, the daughter of Felix W. and Lena Ronnebaum Stallbaumer, on a farm north of Seneca. She graduated from St. Mary's High School at St. Benedict in 1949. She worked at the Nemaha County Extension Office in Seneca until her marriage.
On September 1, 1951, she married
Raymond Rilinger at St. Mary's Church, St. Benedict. They lived on a farm north of Seneca where they built a new home. They moved into Seneca in March of 1990. Her husband Raymond survives of the home in Seneca.
Her memberships include Sts. Peter & Paul Church, St. Ann's Altar Society at the church, and a neighborhood card club. She was a former member of St. Mary's Church and the Altar Sodality at the church. She enjoyed quilting both at home and for the church, was an excellent seamstress and sewed for her family, did embroidery, and crocheting. She always had a large garden and liked to cook.
Survivors besides her husband Raymond of the home are seven sons, Gene and Don Rilinger, both of Topeka, Gerry Rilinger of Sabetha, KS, Glenn Rilinger of Chico, CA, Kenny Rilinger of Lakin, KS, Ted Rilinger of Auburn, KS, Bob Rilinger of Seneca; four daughters, Nancy Reinecke of Berryton, KS, Linda Osterhaus and Susan Rhoads, both of Seneca, and Judy Hall of Smith Center, KS; two brothers, Lyle Stallbaumer and Robert Stallbaumer, both of Seneca; 20 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by a son, Dale Regis Rilinger on June 6, 1968, and two brothers, Roland Stallbaumer and Leroy Stallbaumer.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Friday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. The burial will be in St. Mary'sCemeteryat St. Benedict. The rosary will be prayed at 2 P.M. Thursday by St. Ann's Altar Society and a vigil prayer service will be at 7 P.M. Thursday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for the PSP Foundation, Sts. Peter & Paul Church, or St. Mary's Church Restoration and sent in care of the family.
