Leonard Wassenberg, 86, of Seneca, Kansas, died peacefully early Saturday morning, Saturday, March 2, 2013 at his home in Seneca surrounded by his family.

He was born February 15, 1927, on the Wassenberg homestead northeast of St. Benedict, Kansas, the son of August and Mary Stegeman Wassenberg. He attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict and helped on the family farm.

Leonard served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from February 16, 1946 to April 4, 1947 with the 1st Experimental Guided Missiles Squadron. He loved his time in the service, where he learned to fly and developed a lifelong love for travel. After leaving the service he lived and worked on the family farm North of St. Benedict.

On July 27, 1954 he married Edith Olberding at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca and continued farming the home place until they built and operated the Starlite Motel in Seneca. After the sale of the motel, they traveled in Mexico until returning to Seneca to farm near Vliets. Looking for a new venture, he purchased and operated a Gambles store in Denver, lived in Phoenix and then Denver again until returning the family to the home place. In 1969 he purchased and then operated the Seneca Gambles store, at 4th and Main, for 13 years and moved to a new house in Seneca. After retirement, he continued in farming and the cattle business.

Leonard and Edith loved to travel. They visited many places around the globe throughout Europe, Central America, Mexico, Russia and Morocco. Every summer the entire family would travel around the United States, a favorite destination being Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where his two brothers lived. After retirement he and Edith enjoyed 15 years wintering in Texas and Mexico and then another 15 years in Yuma, Arizona, where they kept a second home.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and formerly St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. He was a member and past president of the Seneca Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Sts. Peter & Paul church council and the Nemaha County Hospital Board.

He is survived by his wife Edith of the home, seven children, Michael (Mary Anne) Wassenberg of Warrenton, Virginia, Lynette (Greg) Stymfal of Phoenix, Arizona, Richard (Jean) Wassenberg of Seneca, Mary (Clint) Tegtmeier of Bern, Karen (Frank) Weingartner of Phoenix, Arizona, James (Deena) Wassenberg of Falcon Heights, Minnesota and Michelle (Rob) Browning of Paducah, Kentucky; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Bill in 1977, Ed ”Wassie” in 1988, Cyril “Slim” in 1990 and Bert in 2003; two sisters, Mary, an infant in 1912, and Amelia Sudbeck in 1991.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday, March 5, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM Wednesday, March 6, at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Burial will be with military honors in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Seneca.

Memorial contributions can be given for the Seneca Public Library, and sent in care of the family.