Omer C. “Cotton” Haug, 75, of Seneca, KS, died early Friday, February 16, 2007, at the Sabetha Community Hospital.

Cotton was born on October 10, 1931 in Seneca, the son of Omer E. and Lucille Noll Haug. He attended Sts. Peter & Paul School, graduating in 1949. After graduation, he moved to Garden City and lived with grandparents Dr. George and Barbara Noll, and worked at a grocery store.

In December 1951, Cotton joined the U.S. Air Force and became an air traffic controller, serving nearly a year in Korea during the Korean War. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and was dischared in December 1955.

In January 1956, he joined his father’s business, H & H Motor Company, as a mechanic and later entered the sales end of the business. On November 19, 1957 Cotton married Charlotte Meyer in Seneca. In 1968 he purchased his uncle’s share of the business, and in 1982 he acquired the remaining interest of the business from his father. He and his wife ran the business for 20 years, before closing shop in January 2002.

Cotton enjoyed listening to XM satellite radio, doing crossword puzzles, reading, fishing and hunting. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Cotton was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Joseph Society, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the VFW., and the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion, all in Seneca. He was also active with the Seneca Chamber of Commerce, serving a term as president.

Survivors are his wife Charlotte of the home; two sons, Ed and his wife Valarie of Oakwood, OK and Jerry and his wife Maggie of Seneca; a daughter, Connie and husband Mike Kuckelman of Seneca; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by siblings, Bobbie Osterhaus and her husband Gilbert of Seneca, Sister Dominic of Manhattan, KS, Sister Connie of Great Bend, George of Seneca, Larry and wife Mary of Seneca, Dora Cross and husband Bill of Centralia, Gerriann Henry and husband Ron of Kansas City, MO, Jeanne Heiman and husband Tom of Wichita, Sue Haug of Seneca, Mike and wife Betty of Seneca, Mary Haug of Hiawatha, Regina (Danni) Aldrine and husband Ed of Topeka, and Cathie Wynkoop of Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Omer E. Haug on March 21, 1991 and Lucille Noll Haug on September 13, 2006, and an infant sister Theresa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 PM Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 3 & 8 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

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