Rupert Richard Rethman, 77, of St. Benedict, Kansas, died Friday, January 31, 2014 at Crestview Nursing & Residential Living in Seneca.

Rupert was born September 5, 1936 to Clement B. and Florentine Olberding Rethman on a farm northwest of St. Benedict.

He attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict and graduated from the 8th grade in 1950. After school, he helped on the family farm until being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956. After service to his country in 1958, he returned to the family farm and continued to farm with his brother, Clem and worked at John Deere in Seneca. He also drove a school bus part time for St. Benedict and Baileyville schools.

Rupert was member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, where he was a CCD Teacher, a Lay Minister; he was also a member of the Seneca Knights of Columbus #1769.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Anna Sperfslage on August 8, 1995 and Charlotte Burdick on September 14, 2010; and a brother, Clements J. Rethman on June 12, 2008.

He is survived by sisters, Rosetta Umscheid of Flush, Willa Rae Wilhelm of Topeka, Roberta Lierz of Sabetha and Diane Mulryan of Seneca; and many nieces and nephews.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM on Sunday, February 2, 2014, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11AM Monday at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with military honors by the American Legion and the V.F.W.

Memorials may be given for the St. Mary’s Church.