Loretta B. Steinlage, 87, of Corning, KS, died Sunday, December 2, 2001, at Crestview Manor care home where she had been a resident since July of 1998.

She was born August 3, 1914, on a farm south of St. Benedict, KS, the daughter of Henry and Bernadine Macke Wessel. She grew up there, attended St. Mary’s School at St. Benedict, and sang in the church choir. She grew up in a family of seven daughters and helped on the family farm.

On October 29, 1940, she married Henry Steinlage at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They farmed and raised livestock northeast of Corning until Henry became ill in 1974. She raised chickens and cultivated fruit trees. Her husband Henry preceded her in death on August 3, 1974. Loretta moved into Corning in the spring of 1979 and lived there until her health began to fail.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, the Altar Society, and the quilting group at the church in Corning. She was a member of the Arthur Mills Post of American Legion Auxiliary and the Corning Home Demonstration Unit, both in Corning. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, embroidery and other handiwork.

Survivors are two sons, Leander Steinlage of Centralia and Gerard Steinlage of Corning; four daughters, Theresa Mulryan, Joann Dawdy, and Rosemary Spangler, all of Topeka, and Mary Kay Hermesch of Goff; 25 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband Henry she was preceded in death by six sisters, Mary Burdick, Rose Deters, Agnes Tangeman, Hilda Broxterman, Elizabeth Olberding and Frances Stallbaumer.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Thursday, December 6, at St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. 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 for St. Patrick’s Church or Crestview Manor care home, and sent in care of the family.