Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Eleanor Ronnebaum
Eleanor D. Ronnebaum, 93, of Seneca passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Crestview Manor Nursing & Residential Living.
Eleanor was born on May 12, 1920, the daughter of Bernard and Pauline Renneger Heinen, on a farm two miles east of Kelly. She attended school at St. Bede’s Catholic School in Kelly, graduating in 1938. After school, she helped on the family farm.
On February 8, 1944, she married
Sylvester Mathias Ronnebaum at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. They farmed northeast of Seneca until 1947 when they purchased their farm south of Seneca. In 1980 they retired and moved into Seneca. Her husband of 60 years preceded her in death on March 23, 2004.
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca and a former member of St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. She was an avid quilter, quilting until her fingers would no longer allow her to sew from arthritis. She enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, growing flowers and raising vegetables and canning the fruits of her labor.
Survivors are two sons, Bernard (Lisa) of Seneca and Wayne (Nancy) of Beloit; a daughter, Kathleen (Larry) Berg of Leavenworth; eight grandchildren and five great-grand children.
She was preceded in death by seven brothers, Lambert, Clem, Joseph, Lawrence, Albert, Clarence and Sylvester Heinen; and five sisters, Julia Conrad, Ottilia Rice, Isabel Wilhelm, Ann Heinen and Alvina Rettele.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Saturday, December 21st at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 6 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul Church or for St. Bede’s Church and sent in care of the family.
Evelyn Ronnebaum
Evelyn E. Ronnebaum, 87, of Seneca, Kansas, died on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.
She was born on March 12, 1926 on a farm north of Baileyville to Henry and Catherine Henry Sextro. She attended and graduated in 1944 from Baileyville Catholic High School in Baileyville, Kansas.
On September 25, 1946, she married
Paul J. Ronnebaum at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived and farmed the Ronnebaum homestead south of Seneca; where they farmed, had a dairy operation and stock. In the spring of 1983 they retired and moved into Seneca where they built a new home. The couple enjoyed traveling the United States by car. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary September 1996; Paul died on August 31, 1997.
She worked for the Knights of Columbus Club Room at their old location on Main Street in Seneca and then at their new location on First Street.
She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society; she help for many years providing the funeral meal and quilting with the Sts. Peter and Paul Quilters. She was a women of devout faith, who prayed the rosary numerous times per day and who prayed to St. Anthony for her family. She enjoyed raising a garden and canning the fruits of her labor; and she had a “green-thumb, ” growing the most beautiful flowers.
Survivors are a son, David “Jay” (Doris) Ronnebaum of Seneca; four daughters, Diana (Robert) Rottinghaus of Kansas City, Missouri, Karen (Gary) Steinlage and Ruth (Wayne) Olberding both of Topeka, Kansas and Linda (Rick) Huerter of Seneca; siblings, Glen Sextro of Olathe, Kansas and Larry Sextro of Horton, Kansas; and 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Stephanie Huerter on March 2, 1996; sisters, Mary Jane Koch on October 2, 2012 and Helen Sextro on July 4, 1928; and brothers, Kenneth Sextro on July 5, 1976 and Lillis Sextro on December 22, 2013.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM on Thursday, January 2nd, at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Wednesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given in Evelyn’s memory for Sts. Peter and Paul.
Melvin F. Ronnebaum
Melvin F. Ronnebaum, 69, of Holton, Kansas, died Sunday, May 5, 2002, at Eastridge Care Home in Centralia, Kansas. He had been a patient in the Onaga Community Hospital since March 29 and entered the nursing home April 22, 2002. He had been in ill health for several years and had major surgery in 1990.
He was born November 17, 1932, one of ten children of Clemens J. and Anna Strathman Ronnebaum, on a farm east of Seneca, Kansas (northwest of Oneida). He grew up there, attended Victory #99 School, and helped on the family farm.
On June 13, 1956, he married
Joan M. Steinlage at St. Bede's Church at Kelly. They lived on the family farm northwest of Oneida until 1959 when they moved to a farm four miles west of Corning. He farmed, raised livestock, and operated a dairy. His wife Joan and son Michael were both killed in a car accident on March 27, 1986. In 1990 he retired due to ill health, and moved to Holton.
He was a member of St. Dominic's Church at Holton and a former member of St. Patrick's Church at Corning.
Survivors are five daughters, Carol Stallbaumer and Annette Evans, both of Seneca, Marlene Haverkamp and Gloria Heiman, both of Baileyville, and Rose Mary Sudbeck of Bern; two brothers, Sylvester "Bud" Ronnebaum and Wilfred "Bill" Ronnebaum, both of Seneca; three sisters, Helen Heinen of Seneca, Evelyn Hammes of Topeka, and Florence Deters of Centralia; a friend, Stasia Cochren of Holton; and thirteen grandchildren.
Besides his wife Joan and son, Michael, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry and Vincent, and by a sister Catherine Rettele and an infant sister, Frances.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Church at Corning. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Tuesday at 2 P.M. and at 7 P.M.
Memorials may be given for St Patrick's Church, St. Dominic's Church, or the Onaga Community Hospital.
Sylvester M. "Bud" Ronnebaum
Sylvester M. "Bud" Ronnebaum, 84, of Seneca, KS, died early Tuesday morning, March 23, 2004, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.
He was born September 8, 1919 on a farm northeast of Seneca, the son of Clemens and Anna Strathman Ronnebaum. He grew up there, attended District #99 School and Sts. Peter & Paul School in Seneca. After school, he worked on the family farm helping his dad.
On February 8, 1944, he married
Eleanor Heinen at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. They farmed northeast of Seneca until 1947 when they purchased their farm south of Seneca. He owned and operated buses for Kelly District #21 and later Unified Seneca District #442. In 1980 they retired and moved into Seneca.
He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca and a former member of St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. He served several years on the church committee and was a board member of the Kelly School District. He was one of the organizers of the Community National Bank of Seneca. Bud enjoyed playing cards and visiting with his friends. He had a large garden and shared his produce with family and friends.
Survivors are his wife Eleanor of the home; two sons, Bernard of Seneca and Wayne of Beloit; a daughter, Kathleen Berg of Leavenworth; a brother, Wilfred of Seneca; three sisters, Helen Heinen of Seneca, Evelyn Hammes of Topeka, Florence Deters of Centralia; 8 grandchildren and a great-grand daughter.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Henry, Vincent, and Melvin; and two sisters, Frances, an an infant, and Catherine Rettele.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. The burial will be in the church cemetery. A prayer service will be conducted at 2 P.M. and the rosary will be prayed at 7 P.M. Wednesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School or for St. Bede’s Church and sent in care of the family.
Werner Ronnebaum
Werner N. Ronnebaum, 88, of Seneca, KS returned home to the Lord on June 22, 2014, after a brief stay at Crestview Nursing and Residential Living in Seneca.
Werner was born on January 7, 1926 to August A. and Anna M. Wichman Ronnebaum on a farm north of Seneca. He graduated in 1944 from Seneca High School, where he was an outstanding basketball player. Although he wanted to serve his country in WWII, he had to stay behind to take care of the family farm.
On June 8, 1948, he married
Lorena Mohrman at St. Mary's Church in St. Benedict. They lived on a farm east of Seneca until his parents moved to Seneca in 1950. The young couple then returned to the Ronnebaum farm where they raised their family.
In addition to being a lifelong farmer and stockman, Werner held several other jobs through the years. He was a hard-working man who did bridge and grain bin construction, sold DeKalb seed, did custom harvesting and drove a school bus. People in the area who rode his bus as youngsters still remember him fondly. Werner was an accomplished carpenter and cabinetmaker, who built many kinds of things including cabinets for several people in the area.
Werner enjoyed dancing, roller skating, playing cards, watching westerns, traveling, and morning coffee at McDonalds. Mostly he liked riding his red scooter and spending time with family and friends. Werner belonged to the St. Joseph Society and a square dance club. He volunteered for the Mission Center in Seneca, and was a 4-H leader for many years.
He is survived by 12 children; Donna Sasser, Silver Spring, MD; Dan Ronnebaum, Seneca; Steve (Pat) Ronnebaum; Stanton, NE; Jean (Scott) Covey, Kansas City, MO; Dave (Sherry) Ronnebaum, Axtell; Bill (Becky) Ronnebaum, Seneca; Kathy (John) Welch, Topeka; Mary (Mike) Sack, Seneca; Joan (Lawrence) Davis, DeSoto; John (Noel) Ronnebaum, Augusta; Laurie (Joe) Fangman, St. Joseph, MO; and Cheri (Bob) Deters, Seneca. He also leaves 28 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and a brother-in-law, Leo Mohrman, Seneca, plus many nieces and nephews.
Werner was preceded in death by his wife; an infant son, Michael; his siblings, Bernice Buessing, Gladys Eaton and Quintin Ronnebaum, a son-in-law, Tim Sasser; and a daughter-in-law, Karlene Ronnebaum.
The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday June 26, 2014, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca with burial in the church cemetery.
Memorials in Werner's honor may be given to St. Peter and Paul School, and sent in care of the family.
Albert A. Rottinghaus
Albert A. Rottinghaus, 77, of Seneca, Kansas, died Thursday, December 28, 2000, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.
He was born January 16, 1923, on a farm southwest of St. Benedict, KS, the son of Alvin and Rose Haverkamp Rottinghaus. He graduated from St. Mary's Grade School and from St. Benedict High School in 1941. Albert moved to Kansas City, KS, and worked for North American Aircraft Company. In 1943 during World War II, he was inducted into the US Army Air Force. He served in the South Pacific, Tinian Island, as an airplane mechanic. He was discharged March of 1946 and returned to farm at St. Benedict.
On June 11, 1946, he married
Helen Siess at St. Mary's Church at St. Benedict. She survives of the home in Seneca. They farmed and lived northeast of St. Benedict until they moved to the Conrad Siess homestead in the same area. They had livestock and a dairy. Albert and his brother, Justin, had a bulldozer and did conservation work. In 1988 they moved to Seneca.
He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the St. Joseph Society at the church, and formerly a member of St. Mary's Church at St, Benedict where he served on the church committee. He was a member of the Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a past commander as well as holding other offices, and a member of the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion. He was proud to have served his country.
Survivors besides his wife, Helen, are, two sons, Ardan Rottinghaus and Wayne Rottinghaus both of Seneca; two daughters, Sylvia Haug of Baileyville and Jane Stueve of Meriden, KS; six brothers, Wilbert Rottinghaus of Baileyville, KS, Justin Rottinghaus of Seneca, Leonard Rottinghaus of Axtell, KS, Elmer Rottinghaus of Kansas City, KS, Gallen Rottinghaus of Yuma, AZ, Regis Rottinghaus of Pasco, WA; four sisters, Dorothy Fangman and Mildred Heinen both of Mesa, WA, Mary Ann Dressman of Frankfort, KS, Rosalita Skeels of Shawnee, KS; eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The mass of Christian burial will be 2 P.M. Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 3 P.M. and a prayer service will be at 8 P.M. Friday at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given to St. Mary's Church Restoration Fund or to Sts. Peter & Paul School Building Fund and sent in care of the family.
Ethel A. Rottinghaus
Ethel A. Rottinghaus, 99, of St. Benedict, Kansas, died Thursday morning, March 11, 2010 at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.
Ethel was born west of Seneca, Kansas on February 8, 1911, the daughter of Henry and Mary Tangeman Wietharn. She attended Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Seneca. After graduating from 8th grade, she helped on the family farm until she got married.
On April 24, 1935 she married
John I. Rottinghaus at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. The couple was married
for 26 years, before John’s death on October 30, 1961. They lived on a farm north of St. Benedict where Ethel continued to live her whole life.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, where she had been honored as the oldest living member of the church community.
Ethel loved collecting and trying new recipes with a special interest in baking. The family will always remember her for having cinnamon rolls and cookies in the freezer. Other special interests were gardening, quilting, playing cards, crocheting and visiting with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her three sons, John H. Rottinghaus (Gladys) of St. Benedict, Leroy Rottinghaus (Grace) of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Eugene Rottinghaus (Karen) of Plano, Texas; three daughters, Mary Jane Hammes (Leo) of Seneca, Rita Buessing (Bob) of Baileyville and Joann Rottinghaus of Olathe, Kansas; two sisters, Leona Lueger and Rose Kramer, both of Seneca; 25 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Francis “Chic” on September 19, 2008; a daughter, Janice Heiman (Gilbert) on July 13, 2008; two infant daughters, Mary and Rose Ann; a grandson, Kurt Rottinghaus; her brother, Vincent Wietharn; and an infant brother and sister.
Rosaries were prayed on Friday, March 12, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, March 13, by her grandson, Fr. Greg Hammes and con-celebrated by Fr. Ed Oen C.P.P.S. and Fr. Mike Koller at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict.
Music was provided by the church choir and soloist Cyril Steinlage. The pall was placed over the casket by her children. Servers were great-grandchildren Dylan and Kyle Rethman, Abby Buessing, and Haley Rottinghaus. Lectors were grandchildren Deb Rethman, Brandon Rottinghaus, Mike Rottinghaus, Barbara Buessing and Dan Rottinghaus. Gift bearers were granddaughters Michelle Frohardt, Rebecca Boehmer, Deb Rethman, Cindy Hammes, Barbara, Jennifer, Mary, and Melissa Buessing, Lindsey Rottinghaus, Julie Boeding and Renee Meyer. The Eucharistic minister was her son-in-law, Leo Hammes.
Burial was in St. Mary’sCemeteryin St. Benedict. Pallbearers were grandsons Ron and Dan Rottinghaus, John, Bruce, Alex and Wayne Buessing, Dave and Gary Hammes, Michael, Steve and Kevin Rottinghaus, Kent Heiman and Brandon Rottinghaus.
Memorials may be given in Ethel’s memory for St. Mary’s Church, and sent in care of the family.
