Joseph F. “Joe” Osterhaus, Jr., 80, of Seneca, KS, died Saturday morning, March 8, 2008 at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca.

Joe was born on a farm south of Baileyville on August 17, 1927, the son of Joseph and Josephine Enneking Osterhaus, Sr. He attended Beattie Catholic School and graduated from the 8th grade. After school, he helped on the family farm and worked for other area farmers. On December 7, 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After serving a year and three months in Germany with the 294th Transportation Company, he was honorable discharged November 14, 1953. As a civilian again, he went to work for a construction company in Topeka. After a year in Topeka, he returned to Seneca to work for John Deere until 1976. Joe was later employed by Love and Osterhaus Construction, CR Industries for 10 years, and Koch & Company for 10 years.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Society, the American Legion Earl W. Taylor Post # 21, the Veterans of Foreign War Post # 7458 serving as Commander, and the Knights of Columbus Council 1769, all in Seneca, and was a former member of the Seneca Lions.

Joe was the type of person who always liked to stay busy. He enjoyed many activities after his retirement, including bingo, woodworking, small engine repair, fishing, hulling walnuts, and attending ballgames.

On February 11, 1956, he married Margaret Ann Graf in Corning, KS; they later divorced.

He will be missed by his son, Bill Osterhaus; brothers Clarence, Vincent, Kenny, and Raymond Osterhaus, all of Topeka, and Melvin Osterhaus of Wetmore; sisters Rose McMurphy of Topeka and Gladys Ennis of Rockford, IL; and two grandchildren, Justin Riffey and Andy Barnhill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son James, his daughter JoAnn, and a sister Mary Whittmer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Wednesday, March 12, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic 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 can be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School Building Fund or Nemaha County Veterans Wall, and sent in care of the family.