Raymond W. “Ray” Wende, 83, of Seneca, KS, died suddenly Thursday, February 16, 2006, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca after suffering an apparent heart attack while on his senior citizen bus route.

He was born February 6, 1923, in Oneida, KS, the son of Albert J. and Sylvia Rose Chilcoat Wende. He attended Morning Star School. He worked on the family farm until he joined the military.

On March 14, 1944, during World War II, he was inducted into the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Bougainville, a Casablanca class escort carrier, in the Asia Pacific campaign, as well as in other areas. He was discharged as a Seaman Second Class on April 19, 1946.

He was married to Rita Hughes on April 2, 1949, in Seneca. They lived in Sabetha until 1957, then moved to Bern, and then to Seneca in 1960. He worked for Watson Brothers Transportation Co., Shaw & Wiltz Truck Line, Neil Bestwick Truck Line, and W.R. Bauman, all in Sabetha. He also was employed by Noel Young Produce and Farm and Service Supply. Recently he has been driving the bus for the senior citizen bus route in Seneca.

He was a charter member of the VFW in Sabetha and a life member of the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the VFW. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #21 in Seneca.

Ray and Rita did a lot of volunteer work for veterans for many years including at the VA hospital in Topeka. Ray also took care of the medical equipment on loan through the VFW. He was known for his kindness and thoughtfulness as a bus driver and will be missed by his passengers. Ray enjoyed fishing and gardening when he was not doing things for others.

Survivors are his wife Rita of the home; three daughters, Rose Brinker of Shawnee, Ruby Corman of Greeley, CO, and Ruth Haen of Dittmer, MO; two brothers, Robert of Spokane, WA and Donald of Phoenix, AZ; a sister, Darlene Campbell of Sabetha; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, William; and three sisters, Helen Herbstreith, Betty Thieme, and Bertha “Peggy” Clemens Ford.

Funeral service will be 10 AM Monday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be in the Seneca City Cemetery, with military honors by the Seneca VFW & American Legion. Family will meet with friends from 7 to 8:30 PM Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given for the Nutrition Center, the VFW, the American Legion, or the Seneca Public Library, and sent in care of the family.