Lorena M. Wessel Koch, 87, of Seneca, KS, died Wednesday evening, December 22, 2010, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

She was born May 4, 1923, on the family farm near Centralia, KS to Barney and Rose Osterhaus Wessel. She attended a one-room school house, then later went to Baileyville School and was a member of the first graduating class there.

On June 2, 1943, she married Lawrence J. Koch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville, with Fr. Grosdidier presiding.

The family lived and farmed northwest of Axtell in Marshall County. Lorena and her husband retired from farming in 1974 and moved to Seneca. Lawrence preceded her in death on on July 11, 2002. For the last four years she had been living at the Presbyterian Manor care home in Topeka.

Her hobbies were quilting, crocheting and playing cards. She loved being around her family and especially cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church. She was a former member of St. Michael’s Church in Axtell.

Survivors are her son, Maurice (wife Linda) Koch of Hoyt, KS; her daughter, Rose Mary (husband Paul) Altenhofen of Linwood, KS; her brothers, Elmer Wessel of Topeka, Paul Wessel of Hemmett, CA and Bernard Wessel of Aurora, CO; a sister, Rosie Morris of Topeka; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Robert Koch on May 17, 2008; her brothers, Raymond, Adrian, Galen, and Leonard Wessel; and her sisters, Leona Wessel, Dorothy Wessel, Alvina Brucken and Clara Reiter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM Monday, December 27, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville. A rosary will be prayed at 2 PM Sunday, December 26, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorial contributions may be given for the Nemaha County Veterans Wall, and sent in care of the family.