Charles T. Krogman

Charles T. "Charles" Krogman, 81, of Seneca, died late Saturday evening, January 27, 2007, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka. He was transferred there after suffering an apparent heart attack.
      He was born on a farm southwest of Seneca on July 8, 1925, the son of Joseph and Margaret Ellen McNally Krogman. He attended school at St. Bridget, went to high school and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul in 1943. After graduation, he entered military service. During WW II he served in the Coast Guard from 1944 to 1945. After the war he joined the Merchant Marines in 1946, and later enlisted with the Navy, serving on the USS Fechteler. His rank was Boatswain’s Mate Second Class. His military awards include a Korean Service Medal (Bronze Star), a Navy Occupation Medal, a China Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal.
    On November 29, 1952, he married Verla L. Seematter at Frankfort. They lived on a farm north of St. Bridget, where they farmed until 1974. In 1974, they purchased the Cedar’s 36 Motel in Seneca, which they operated until 1983. Charlie also worked for the Nemaha County COOP from 1975 until 1990. After retiring from the COOP, he was self-employed under the name Krogman Trucking with his son Tim.
      In May 1999, his wife preceded him in death.
     Charlie was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Joseph Society, the Knights of Columbus #1769 for 62 years, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the V.F.W., the Earle W. Taylor post #21 of the American Legion, and the Seneca Lions Club for over 30 years, all in Seneca.
      He volunteered at the for NVCH Guild many years, as well as at the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center. He enjoyed going to the coffee shop, playing cards, and gardening, and loved to share his fresh garden tomatoes with friends and family. He also enjoyed speculating in the market for manure spreaders and Ford tractors.
     Survivors are his special friend Millie Oenbring; two sons, Tim of Pawnee City, NE and Randy of Seneca; two daughters, Marilee Weber of Lincoln NE and Lori Burdiek of Seneca; two sisters, Marilyn Berberick of Topeka and Margaret Overmyer of Kansas City; a brother-in-law Harold Michaelis of Topeka; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.      
     Besides his wife, Verla, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Francis; and sisters, Kathryn Cortright and Gertrude Michaelis.
     The mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Wednesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. The burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed Tuesday at 2 PM at Lauer Funeral Home and 7 PM at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. He will lie in state after 8 AM Tuesday at the funeral home.
     Memorials may be given for the Seneca EMTs or for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.