Bernardine E. Rettele, 88, of Seneca, Kansas, died late Thursday evening, March 11, 2004, at Life Care Center in Seneca. She had been a resident there since April 2000.

She was born April 4, 1915, near Kelly, Kansas, the daughter of John Bernard “Barney” and Wilhelmina Rethman Holthaus. When she was four years old, her mother died, and she went to live with her Aunt Josephine Vondemkamp and family. Bernardine grew up in Kelly and attended St. Bede’s School.

On February 25, 1936, she married Ignatius J. “Nate” Rettele at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. They lived and farmed east of Centralia for 46 years. In February 1983 they moved into Seneca. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1986. Her husband Nate preceded her in death on November 12, 1987.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Seneca, and a former active member of St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. Bernardine had a warm personality, loved the people of Kelly and what the young people were doing. She and Nate enjoyed playing cards with their friends. She treasured her good friend, Velma Hulsing.

Survivors include a brother, John Holthaus of Marysville.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother and sister who died as young children, Elizabeth and Frank Holthaus, and another brother, Henry Holthaus on June 22, 1993.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Monday at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the Equipment Fund at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca, KS 66538.