Luella J. Brinker, 88, of Seneca, Kansas, died early Tuesday morning, November 1, 2011, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca after a battle with cancer.

Luella Janet Hammes Brinker was born January 15, 1923 to Joseph and Mary Ronnebaum Hammes, fourth of eight children. She attended Rock School, St. Benedict Grade School, and Seneca Public High school until her sophomore year when she had to stay home because of illness.

She married Elmer Brinker on October 8, 1940 at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They spent their entire married life in Seneca, raising seven children. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2000.

After the children grew up, Luella helped Elmer in the furniture store until they sold it in May 1984. Then her sons opened a furniture store and she continued helping them until recently. Her favorite pastimes were going to the furniture store and attending all the events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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

Survivors include three sons, Larry and his wife Ginger of Topeka, Bob and his wife Marilyn of Seneca, and Steve and his wife Bonnie of Seneca; two daughters, Nancy Frehe of Seneca and Myra Runnebaum and husband Jim of Seneca; a daughter-in-law Kathy Brinker of Seneca; 23 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer on February 22, 2001; two sons, Daniel on April 14, 1946 and Marvin on March 5, 2005; four brothers, Art, Al, Gene and Les Hammes; four sisters, Elsie Hammes, Bernita Hutchinson, Laverne Edgerley and Edna Edgerley; a son-in-law Daniel Frehe on January 20, 2005; grandsons Ryan and Richard Brinker, and great-granddaughter Gabriella Runnebaum.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Friday, November 4, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday, November 3, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.