Josepha E. Steinlage, 98, of Seneca, KS, died Friday, July 13, 2001, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. She was transferred there from Crestview Manor care home in Seneca, where she had been a resident since February of 1999.

She was born on a farm north of St. Benedict, KS on May 7, 1903, the daughter of Frank and Mary A. Stegeman Haverkamp. In 1906 her family moved to a farm 1/2-mile west of Kelly. She attended St. Bede’s School in Kelly and was a member of the first graduating class at St. Bede’s. Following her schooling, Josepha worked on the family farm.

Josepha married William A. Steinlage on October 26, 1927 at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. William was originally from St. Lucas, IA and was working for his brother Ferdinand when he met Josepha. They farmed and raised livestock on a farm three miles south of Kelly until they retired and moved into Seneca in 1974. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1977, and had been married 59 years when William died on June 2, 1987.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Seneca, and was a former member of St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. She did volunteer work at the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center in Seneca.

Josepha enjoyed cooking and baking and did all kinds of fancy work, including crocheting. She enjoyed working outside with her flowers and garden, and always had fresh flowers in her home.

Survivors include three sons, John J. and Marvin Steinlage, both of Seneca, and William Steinlage of Holton; four daughters, Mary Ann Olberding of Seneca, Arlene Lisa of Fountain Valley, CA, Verna Strathman of Topeka, and Joella King of Hoyt; a brother, Alphonse Haverkamp of Seneca; two sisters, Rose Bergman of St. Benedict and Alma Holthaus of Centralia; 26 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Gerald Steinlage on Nov. 29, 1967 and Elmer Steinlage on May 23, 1992; a grandson, Craig Steinlage on July 16, 1968; a great-grandson, Matthew Hiestand on March 17, 1997; five brothers, George, Lawrence, Frank, Edwin and Joseph Haverkamp; and three sisters, Anna Boeding, Dora Steinlage and Mary Haug.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at offered at 10:30 AM Monday, July 16, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will in St. Bede’s Cemetery in Kelly. A rosary will be prayed at 2 PM Sunday, with a prayer service at 8 PM Sunday, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorial contributions may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul Church or St. Bede’s Cemetery, and sent in care of the family.