Rita Ann Wessel Stuke, 90, of Seneca, Kansas, died Tuesday morning, September 21, 2010.

She was born September 21, 1920, on the Wessel family homestead, a farm southwest of Kelly, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Macke Wessel. She attended St. Bede’s School at Kelly.

On November 20, 1940, she married Walter G. Stuke at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly. The couple lived on a farm south of Seneca until 1946, when they purchased a farm southeast of Seneca. She and her husband raised stock and farmed until Walter preceded her in death on December 24, 1986.

Once Rita’s children were in school she began working outside of the home, including at the Gilford Hotel, the Prairie Lounge restaurant, and the Sts. Peter & Paul lunch program for over 20 years, all in Seneca.

Rita was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Ann’s Altar Society, and president of the Sts. Peter & Paul Quilters, all in Seneca. She also was a member of QAF Club and the Garden Club. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo. She was a talented seamstress and quilter, who also enjoyed gardening.

She is survived by two sons, Ronald Stuke of Stage Coach, Nevada and Kenneth Stuke of Raytown, Missouri; two daughters, Janie Gosser of Truckee, California and Nancy Cooper of Raytown, Missouri; her brother, Andrew Wessel of Seneca; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by brothers, Henry Wessel on December 18, 1995, Francis Wessel on March 28, 2000, Albert H. Wessel on April 15, 2001 and George Wessel on February 4, 2010; and a sister, Mary Korte on June 9, 2000.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Thursday, September 23, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. 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 in Rita’s memory for the Sts. Peter & Paul Building Fund or the Sts. Peter & Paul Nature Park, and sent in care of the family.