Elmer J. Skoch, 85, retired farmer and stockman, of Seneca, Kansas, died early Saturday morning, March 10, 2007 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

He was born on a farm northwest of St. Benedict on February 23, 1922, the son of Edward J. and Rose Wichman Skoch. He attended the Seneca Grade School, and graduated from Seneca Public High School. After graduation, he began working on the family farm, which would be his lifelong work until retirement.

On April 26, 1945, he married Mary Elizabeth Buessing at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived and worked the family farm until they retired to Seneca in November of 1982. They raised five daughters.

After retirement from the farm, Elmer worked part time for Nemaha County Co-Op, Rural Water District #3, Ray’s Apple Mart, and the Conoco gas station.

Elmer was a member of St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict, where he had served on the church council and the restoration committee. He was also a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and a Fourth Degree member of Ponce De Leon Assembly of Seneca. Elmer also served on the Nemaha County Co-Op Board from 1961-1975. His hobbies were playing cards and woodworking.

Survivors are his wife Mary of the home; five daughters, Betty Schraad of Seneca, Judy Osterhaus of Axtell, Cathy Farrell of Frankfort, Patty Hasenkamp of Burchard, Nebraska, and Barb Bille of Bonner Springs; two sisters, Esther Enneking of Centralia and Eleanor Schultejans of Anamosa, Iowa; 17 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, who also died at the same age of 85 and on the same date 25 years ago, March 10, 1982; and by his mother, who died on January 9, 1983. He was also preceded in death by great-granddaughter Ariel E. Esslinger and great-great-granddaughter Shawna Brook Esslinger, who were both lost in a car accident on January 26, 2007.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday, March 12, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, March 13, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital or Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.