Emmett A. Stallbaumer, 85, of Seneca, Kansas, died Saturday evening, April 29, 2006, at Life Care Center in Seneca surrounded by family. He had been a resident there since November 2005.

He was born November 30, 1920, on a farm west of St. Benedict, Kansas, the son of George and Elizabeth Engelken Stallbaumer. He grew up on the farm and attended St. Benedict School in St. Benedict. He worked for area farmers and then served in the U.S. Army, Army Automotive Ordinance from 1941 to 1945. Upon discharge, he worked for Hodges Motors and the General Motors BOP (Buick, Olds, Pontiac) Plant in Kansas City, Kansas.

On April 19, 1952, he married Martha A. Reinecke at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville, KS. They lived northeast of Corning for six years before moving to a farm southeast of Axtell. In 1968 the family moved to their home south of Seneca. Martha preceded him in death on February 23, 2002.

Emmett was employed by Nemaha County Co-op for many years and worked in Baileyville and later Seneca. After a year of retirement Emmett began to help out part-time at Country View Estates care home, now known as Life Care Center, in the maintenance department. Ten years later he finally fully retired.

Emmett was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in Seneca. He enjoyed the company of his family and grandchildren, gardening and caring for livestock on the farm. He was a kind, humble, patient and hard-working man.

Survivors include five children, Ron Stallbaumer of Overland Park, Kansas, Patty Kuhlmann of Kensington, Kansas, Tom Stallbaumer of Rogers, Arkansas, Amy Brummer of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Jon Stallbaumer of Centralia, Kansas; one brother, Ray Stallbaumer of Seneca; one sister, Rita Broxterman of Seneca; and 13 grandchildren.

Besides his wife Martha, he was preceded in death by five brothers; Alfred, Cyril, Hubert, Adrian and Cletus Stallbaumer; and three sisters, Cora Hammes, Minnie Haug and Leona Nolte.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Wednesday, May 3, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family at 9438 Connell Dr., Overland Park, KS 66212.