Mary C. Wessel, 85, of Seneca, KS, died Sunday, December 30, 2001, at Country View Estates care home in Seneca. She had been a resident there since June this year.

She was born February 19, 1916, on a farm northeast of Seneca, the daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth Dalsing Osterhaus. She grew up there, attended Liberty School and Sts. Peter & Paul School, and worked on the family farm.

On April 12, 1939, she married Henry B. “Henie” Wessel at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived and farmed in the Kelly area. Her husband “Henie” preceded her in death on December 18, 1995. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and had been married 56 years at the time of his death.

Mary started the school lunch program in Kelly in 1949 and worked there until 1956 when she and Henie moved to Seneca. In Seneca she was employed at Evelyn’s Café, Springer’s Variety Store, Farrell’s Ben Franklin Store, and for Bob Bair at the Ben Franklin Store until she retired in the fall of 1980.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Seneca. Mary did all types of needlework, crocheting, quilting and embroidery. She also enjoyed babysitting with her grandchildren and baking.

Survivors are a daughter, Mary Koelzer of Seneca; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Jessica Joane Koelzer on September 10, 1997; three brothers, John, Paul, and Albert Osterhaus; and three sisters, Anna Haug, Clara Krogman, and Agnes Waller.

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

Memorials may be given for the Seneca EMT Association, and sent in care of the family.