Lucy M. Deters, 97, of Seneca, Kansas, died Friday, November 15, 2002, at a Seneca care home.

She was born July 24, 1905, on a farm northwest of Centralia, Kansas, the daughter of William and Mary Holan Koch. She grew up on the family farm and attended a rural school near her home.

On August 19, 1925, she married Bernard C. “Ben” Deters at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville, Kansas. They farmed west of Seneca until 1944 when they moved to a farm southwest of Seneca. In 1965 they retired and moved into Seneca. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1975. Her husband Ben preceded her in death on March 26, 1980.

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

Survivors are six sons, Dorus Deters of Overland Park, Kansas, Gregory Deters of Weatherby, Missouri, Marvin Deters and Francis Deters, both of Seneca, Bernard Deters, Jr. of Independence, Missouri, and Joseph Deters of Napa, California; five daughters, Mildred Haug of Baileyville, Bernice Wessel, Audrey Deters, and Mary Peterson, all of Topeka, and Shirley Deters of Centralia; 30 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Fr. Henry Deters, OSB on January 3, 1996; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Ronnebaum on April 11, 1997; a great-grandson, Andrew Haug on July 9, 1994; six brothers, Wancel, William Jr., Andrew, Louis, Ralph, and Lawrence Koch; and three sisters, Lena Barber, Florence Feldkamp, and Gertrude Droge.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 2 PM Sunday, with a vigil prayer service at 7 PM Sunday, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School in Seneca or the Benedictine Abbey at Atchison, and sent in care of the family.