Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
LeRoy "Buster" Ritchie
LeRoy “Buster” Ritchie, 90, Seneca, died Thursday, February 10, 2005, at Crestview Manor in Seneca. He had been a resident there for two years.
He was born December 20, 1914, on a farm southwest of Seneca, the son of Roy and Anna Weyer Ritchie. He attended Seneca Public Schools and worked on the family farm.
On April 14, 1942, he entered the US Army and served as a rifleman during WWII in the Aleutian Islands. After his discharge on December 2, 1945, he returned to the farm. He also worked at Hill’s Packing Plant in Topeka.
On May 24, 1955, he married
Clara A. Steinlage at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. They lived, farmed, and raised livestock east of Centralia. In 1986 they moved to Seneca. Buster was a hard working person. He had a truck and did all kinds of odd jobs such as mowing lawns, trimming trees, and hauling trash. His wife Clara entered the nursing home due to failing health in 1990 and preceded him in death on October 25, 1998.
Survivors are 2 half-brothers, William (Bill) Ritchie of Las Vegas, NV and Jackie L. Ritchie of Topeka.
Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a a half-brother, Roy L. Ritchie, Jr.
He was a member of St. Bede’s Church and a lifetime member of the Earl W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 1:30 P.M. Saturday at St. Bede’s in Kelly. Burial will be with military honors in the church cemetery. Rosary will be prayed at 8 P.M. Friday at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Cemetery.
Rex A. Robinson
Rex A. Robinson, 84, of Sabetha, Kansas, died Wednesday, June 27, 2001, at the Sabetha Hospital in Sabetha.
He was born October 21, 1916, in Sabetha, the youngest of nine children of Ario and Emma Robinson. He attended Sabetha schools and graduated from high school there in 1934. He was a farmer, a stockman and dairyman in the Sabetha area all his life. He lived most of his life on the Robinson homestead near Capioma.
On March 24, 1940, he married
Theo Madeline Ransom at her parent's home near Sabetha. On November 18, 1957, his wife, Theo, and their daughter, Shirley Ann Robinson, age 16, were both fatally injured in an auto accident.
He was a member of the Congregational Church in Sabetha, where he served on the church board. He was also a founding member of the CapiomaCemeteryBoard, which set up a plan for the upkeep of the cemetery. He remained on thecemeteryboard all his life. He was also a member of the National Farmers Organization and the Nemaha County Co-op.
He is survived by a son, Burton M. Robinson of Sabetha; a brother Harvey Robinson of Topeka; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Besides his wife and daughter, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Oliver, Byron, and Ralph and four sisters, Altha Robinson, Eleanor Hess, Irene Richards, and Lois Robinson.
Memorial services will be held 10:30 A.M. Saturday, June 30, at the Woodlawn Baptist Church in Woodlawn, Kansas. Inurnment will be in the CapiomaCemeteryfollowing the services.
Memorials may be given for the Nemaha County Community Health Services or the CapiomaCemeteryand sent in care of the family.
Mathias C. "Mat" Rochel
Mathias C. “Mat” Rochel, 98, of Seneca, Kansas, died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at Country View Estates Care Home in Seneca.
He was born February 15, 1905, on a farm west of Seneca, the son of Frank and Mary Schmitt Rochel. He grew up there and attended Sts. Peter & Paul School. When he was 16 years old, his father was killed by a team of runaway mules. Mat and his twin brother, Edwin, kept the family farm going.
On June 20, 1933, he married
Mary E. Hutton at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. She survives of the home in Seneca. They lived in Seneca and in their present home for over 60 years. Mat worked for H.B. Skinner at Paramount Cleaners, and in the early 1930s Mat and Mary purchased this dry cleaning establishment, which they continued to call Paramount Cleaners. They owned and operated the business together for many years until they sold it in the 1980s. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, their 65th anniversary and would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year.
Mat was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn R. Tangeman, on September 11, 2000; his twin brother Edwin and his sister Rose Gress.
He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the St. Joseph Society at the church, and the Knights of Columbus #1769.
Mat was a well liked and well known character about town. He was a key booster of Seneca over the years, being a longtime influential member of the Seneca Chamber of Commerce, with a business on Main Street in the heart of downtown. He was also a proponent of Lake Nemaha south of Seneca, where he built a cabin of unique cedar construction and was a charter member of the Lion's Club, which located its clubhouse at the lake next to Mat and Mary's cabin. Mat is also famous for his meticulous groundswork and redesign projects at his wife Mary's family home on Highway 63 south of Seneca. They maintained this picturesque site, set in a unique spot along a steep grade, as a second home to entertain friends. The grounds included a fishing pond, a stream with a bridge, and a white fence that always seemed to be freshly painted. People driving along Highway 63 would often see Mat out there keeping up the grounds to perfection, and of course he would always wave. As a 33 year member of the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department, Mat was also responsible for initiating the restoration of Seneca's venerable 1922 Stutz firetruck, which is now a town keepsake and showpiece. Mat's other projects included restoration of a roadster sports car and collecting and refinishing antiques.
Survivors besides his wife Mary are three grandchildren.
The rosary was prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Friday at 2 P.M. by the Knights of Columbus and 7 P.M. by the parish. The mass of Christian burial was offered at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, April 12, 2003 at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial was in the church cemetery. The 1922 Stutz firetruck was included in the funeral procession from the funeral home to the church to the cemetery. Photo of the Stutz firetruck outside the church is shown above. Mat's fireman's hat was placed atop the casket for the procession. At the end of the graveside service, Fire Chief Jerry Stallbaumer presented the fire hat to the family, thanking them for Mat's 33 years of service. Firemen clanged the bell on the Stutz as a final salute.
Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School Building Fund or the Seneca Fire Department Museum Fund, and sent in care of the family.
Melvin F. Roeder
Melvin F. Roeder, 82, of Seneca, Kansas, died late Tuesday night, June 11, 2013 at his home.
Melvin Frederick Roeder was born September 13, 1930, on a farm near Seneca, to Leo G. and Frances Schaeffler Roeder. He attended Diamond School for four years, then Sts. Peter & Paul School for four years and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1948. After graduation, he served his country during the Korean War with the Army 633rd Engineer Light Equipment Company as a Heavy Equipment Operator. At discharge he held the rank of sergeant.
On October 13, 1951, he married
Angela Koch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The couple celebrated 59 years of marriage before Angela preceded him in death on February 2, 2011.
After Melvin's military service, the couple farmed northeast of Centralia for a few years, and then in 1960 they moved to a farm southwest of Seneca where Melvin farmed and raised stock the remainder of his life.
His lifelong career of farming continued to be a hobby with him even in retirement, along with fishing and playing cards. He loved to travel and visit family and friends in Alaska, California, Nevada, Utah, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Minnesota and Canada. He also drove a truck to pick up machinery for his brother Alfred’s farm machinery dealership.
He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Society, the American Legion Post #21, and a lifetime member of the VFW Post #7458, all in Seneca.
He is survived by five sons, Duane (Chris) Roeder of Seneca, Bill (Sue) Roeder of Fort Collins, Colorado, Gary (Christin) Roeder of Reno, Nevada, Jim (Betty) Roeder of Seneca and Steve Roeder of La Jolla, California; two daughters, Carol Esser of Lenexa, Kansas and Jane Roeder of Overland Park, Kansas; a brother, Alfred Roeder of Seneca; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchild.
Besides his wife Angela, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Judy Roeder in 1952; a sister, Viola Schmidt; and a brother, Matthias Roeder.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1:30 PM Saturday, June 15, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the churchcemeterywith military honors. Rosaries will be prayed at 4 & 8 PM Friday, June 14, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given in Melvin’s memory for the Seneca Veterans Wall Fund or the Wounded Warrior Foundation, and sent in care of the family.
Raymond L. Roeder
Raymond L. Roeder, 89, of Topeka, Kansas, died Thursday, May 9, 2013 at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka.
Ray was born on December 13, 1923, to Louis and Margaret McElroy Roeder in Seneca. He graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in 1941. After school he worked Seneca Wholesale for a short period, then for Winterscheidt Milling in Seneca. He was also employed by Allis Chalmers Tractor Supply.
He married
Doris Eileen Nolte on January 16, 1946 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. In 1973 the couple made their home in Topeka and Ray went to work for Payless Cashway there. He retired in 2001.
His greatest pride in his life were his family, especially his children, grandchilden and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing and gardening.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Topeka.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; a twin brother, Donald; and a sister, Wilma Koelzer.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris of the home; his children, Darrel (Stephani) Roeder of Topeka, Joyce (Gene) Estes of Topeka, Donald (Diana) Roeder of Omaha, and Dwayne (Susie) Roeder of Topeka; a brother, John Roeder of Seneca; 10 grandchildren, Stanton Estes of Ottawa, Sheila (Korey) Klover of Newalla, Oklahoma, Heather Winegartner of Topeka, Bryan (Marcy) Merrit of Alma, David (Roxie) of Lawrence, Christopher Roeder of Topeka, Chassidy Bryan of Lawrence, Chelsy (David) Gechter of Dodge City, John Waylon (Ashlee) Roeder of Lawrence, Ashley Zerbe of Nashville Tennessee; and nine great-grandchildren, Addison, Briley, Casson, Kyler, Kourtney, Keegan Trinity, Haylee and Isaiah.
Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, May 12, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Monday, May 13, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in Sts. Peter & PaulCemeteryin Seneca.
Memorials may be given for Midland Hospice House and/or the American Diabetes Association, and sent in care of the family.
Madeleine S. Rogers
Madeleine S. Rogers, 57, of Independence, MO died Monday morning, August 6, 2001, at Independence Regional Hospital. She had been in ill health for several years.
She was born December 17, 1943, at Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Charles and Frances Downey Rogers. She attended school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, IL, St. Mary's High School in Independence, and Duchesne College in Omaha, NE. As a young woman she was employed by the Kansas City Star.
She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Altar Society at the church in Independence. She had a great love of history and politics. During years of confinement due to her illness, she also enjoyed needlepoint and delighted in preparing "wonderful" Christmas packages for her family especially the nieces and nephews. All who know her were inspired by her sense of humor, sense of values, and her patience in her daily struggle to survive.
She is survived by her brother, Charles E. Rogers of Independence; three sisters, Kathleen Harris of Genoa, NE, Mary Alice Walsh of Haddonfield, NJ, and Vera Fullington of Pinehurst, NC.
Relatives and friends may call Wednesday evening, August 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. at Speaks Funeral Home, Independence, MO. The mass of Christian burial will be 9 A.M. Thursday at St. Mary's Church at Independence. Graveside service will be at 2 P.M. Thursday at Sts. Peter & PaulCemeteryin Seneca, KS.
Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca is in charge of local arrangements.
