Elmer J. Osterhaus, 73, of Seneca, KS, died suddenly on Friday afternoon, November 7, 2008, at the Nemaha Valley Comunity Hospital in Seneca, after suffering an apparent heart attack while hunting with his son.

Elmer was born on July 19, 1935, in Seneca to John Francis and Elizabeth Huninghake Osterhaus. While Elmer was quite young the family moved to a farm north of Sabetha. He attended a year of school in Sabetha before the family moved in 1941 to a farm north of Oneida. He attended school in Oneida, and graduated from the 8th grade. Elmer helped on the family farm before joining the National Guard in 1955, serving for seven years. He remained active on the family farm where he and his brother Leon learned the trade of blacksmithing from their father. His father died suddenly on August 6, 1959. Elmer continued to farm with his brother, and they built and operated a blacksmith shop in Oneida. Elmer served as mayor of Oneida from 1966-1968, and was also a city councilman. He was instrumental in securing access to the rural water system for Oneida.

In 1965, Leon and Elmer sold their blacksmith shop to Roger Allen. They also sold the farm and he, Leon, and their mother moved to Seneca. Elmer worked for Regis Tanking building terraces, waterways, and ponds for local farmers.

On September 4, 1965, Elmer married Margaret “Peggy” Stallbaumer at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning. The couple celebrated 42 years of marriage before Peggy’s death last October.

In the fall of 1966, Elmer began working for Wenger Manufacturing in Sabetha as a welder. Several months later he and Leon resumed their blacksmith shop, working there until 1968 when they sold out. Elmer moved his family to Gladstone, MO, where he worked for Ford Motor Company on the assembly line. In 1970 he returned his family to Seneca, and began again as a welder for Wenger Manufacturing. While with Wenger, Elmer traveled the world setting up equipment and training people to use it.

In 1993, while working in Taiwan, Elmer suffered a stroke, but returned to work three months later setting up equipment across the U.S. and Canada. He retired in 1999.

Elmer was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. He was a dedicated husband, son, father, brother, and grandfather. He was the best neighbor anyone could wish for, always lending a helpful hand. Elmer and his wife Peggy enjoyed traveling, especially visiting their son in Alaska where they would fish and go snowmobiling. They took pleasure in camping, hunting, and being outdoors.

He is survived by his son, Michael Osterhaus of Wasilla, AK; his daughter, Patricia White of Grain Valley, MO; his brother, Leon Osterhaus of Seneca; his sister, Leona Nichols of Dallas, TX; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy on October 7, 2007, and by his mother, whom he took care of until her death on May 19, 2000.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Monday, November 10, at Sts. Peter & Paul in Seneca. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given in Elmer’s memory for Sts. Peter & Paul School, sent in care of the family.