Fred J. Hermesch, 78, of Seneca, KS, died Saturday night, October 27, 2007, at the Sabetha Community Hospital, after valiantly fighting cancer for nine years.

He was born September 7, 1929, on a farm east of Kelly, KS, the son of Fred and Mary Wessel Hermesch. He grew up there, attended St. Bede’s School at Kelly, and helped on the family farm. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army. After an honorable discharge, he worked at Hallmark in Kansas City before returning to the family farm in 1954.

Fred married Rosalyn Haverkamp on June 17, 1953 at St. Bede’s Catholic Church at Kelly. She survives of the home. They were fortunate to celebrate their Golden Anniversary in 2003. In 1956, Fred and Rosalyn purchased the farm northeast of Kelly, where they operated a Grade A Dairy for 47 years and raised their family before moving to Seneca in 2002.

Fred was a member of St. Bede’s Church at Kelly, where he served on the parish council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus #1769, Earl W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion, and Memorial Post #7458 of the V.F.W., all in Seneca. He was also a member of the Farmer’s Union, Farm Bureau, and the Mid-AM Dairy Association. Fred served on the Adams Board and in 1971 was the recipient of the Nemaha County Farm Family of the Year Award.

Fred’s life was centered around his faith, family and friends. He enjoyed hosting family BBQ’s, playing cards, working in the yard, traveling among the states and Germany to visit family, and watching the K-State Wildcats. Fred cherished the times he was able to attend his grandchildren’s sports and school activities. Those who knew Fred will never need a special day to bring him to their minds, for there will never be a day without thought of him. Recently Fred was honored by being blessed by Archbishop Joseph Naumann.

Survivors besides his wife Rosalyn are three sons, Wayne and wife D’Ann of Seneca, Keith and wife Deb of Kelly, and Max and wife Diane of Sabetha; a daughter, Brenda Bergman and husband Mike of Topeka; two brothers, Ben of Seneca and Lawrence of Alamosa, IA; a sister, Theresa Winkler of Seneca; and 10 grandchildren, Jason, Jaci, Emily, Katie, Paula, Eric, Dana, Brianna Hermesch and Brent and Michelle Bergman.

He was preceded in death by six brothers, Kenneth, Albert, Frank, Raymond, Ed, and Lambert; and six sisters, Lucy Hermesch, Anna Brokamp, Rita Buser Perdue, Agnes Rempe, Mary Brucken and Sr. Amanda.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Tuesday, October 30, at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Church, and sent in care of the family.