Kenneth M. Lechner, 67, of Seneca, KS, died south of Seneca on Monday, October 14, 2002.

He was born March 31, 1935, on a farm southwest of Nebraska City, NE, the son of Tate and Agnes Kuhlman Lechner. When he was three months old, his mother died. He was raised by his grandparents, Henry and Christina Fischer Hermesch east of Kelly, KS. He attended St. Bede’s School in Kelly and helped on the farm. Later he earned a G.E.D. Kenny farmed the Hermesch homestead east of Kelly before his marriage.

On May 14, 1956, he married Bernita “Bea” Stegeman in Wheaton, KS. She survives of the home. They lived and farmed in the Kelly area and moved into Seneca in 1987. Kenny was employed at Skillet Ready Mix in Centralia, Lortscher Agri Service and Metzger’s Dairy in Oneida, and for Seneca Ready Mix and Seneca Fertilizer. He had also worked part-time at the Kramer Liquor Store and the Pony Express Liquor Store.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the St. Joseph Society at the church in Seneca, and a former member of St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. He was an umpire for the Kelly Baseball League. Kenny enjoyed bowling and playing cards.

Survivors besides his wife Bea are five daughters, Deb Christian of Hiawatha, KS, Connie Thorson and Karen Lechner, both of Horton, KS, Kristina “Tina” Brinker of Shawnee, KS, and Kimberly Henry of Goff; two brothers, Francis of Trenton, IL and Leonard of Fremont, NE; four sisters, Larine Hespen and Marie Koeppo, both of Nebraska City, NE, and twins Elsie Hicks of Omaha and Evelyn Rowe of Ragland, AL; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Katherine “Kathy” Lechner on October 3, 1990.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in St. Bede’s Cemetery in Kelly. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Cemetery or for Seneca’s South Park, and sent in care of the family.