Donald Francis Dalinghaus, 75, of Seneca, KS, died Sunday morning, August 7, 2011 at his farm east of Seneca.

Donald was born on December 5, 1935 on a farm south of Baileyville to Lawrence A. and Margaret M. Sudbeck Dalinghaus. He grew up on the Dalinghaus farmstead south of Baileyville and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1953. After high school he attended Benedictine College in Atchison for one year. He served his country as a member of the Kansas National Guard.

He married Patricia Tanking on December 27, 1956 at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. The couple made their home in Seneca, and enjoyed tending to a small dairy herd. Donald started to work for the State of Kansas after attending college for a year, and retired after 20 years. He was employed by the Kansas State Highway Department, where he inspected bridges and highways. He later worked for Cook, Flatt and Strobel Engineering and retired from there in 2011. Also, on a part-time basis he would assist Mueting Engineering.

Donald was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, and St. Joseph’s Society. He served as a Club Leader of the Lakeshore 4-H Club for many years. He loved to visit, and was a true conversationalist. He took pleasure in being a grandfather and enjoyed watching sports, especially events with family members on the team.

Survivors besides Patricia, his wife of 54 years, of the home are two daughters, Mary Beth (Dave) Schmelzle and Jodi (Bill) Bredemeier, both of Seneca; a brother, Bill Dalinghaus of Seneca; a sister, Virginia Winkler of Centralia; five grandchildren, Jason (Mandy) Bredemeier of Falls City, NE, Kevin (Kelly) Schmelzle of Seneca; Joey Bredemeier of Kansas City, MO, Matt (Michelle) Schmelzle of Marysville and Abbie Schmelzle of Topeka; and five great-grandchildren, Kade and Carson Bredemeier, Myiah and Trent Schmelzle and Jackson Schmelzle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, LeRoy “Roy” Dalinghaus on December 28, 2002.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday, August 9, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, where he will lie in state after 8 AM on Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 10, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.

Donald Francis Dalinghaus, 75, of Seneca, KS, died Sunday morning, August 7, 2011 at his farm east of Seneca.

Donald was born on December 5, 1935 on a farm south of Baileyville to Lawrence A. and Margaret M. Sudbeck Dalinghaus. He grew up on the Dalinghaus farmstead south of Baileyville and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1953. After high school he attended Benedictine College in Atchison for one year. He served his country as a member of the Kansas National Guard.

He married Patricia Tanking on December 27, 1956 at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. The couple made their home in Seneca, and enjoyed tending to a small dairy herd. Donald started to work for the State of Kansas after attending college for a year, and retired after 20 years. He was employed by the Kansas State Highway Department, where he inspected bridges and highways. He later worked for Cook, Flatt and Strobel Engineering and retired from there in 2011. Also, on a part-time basis he would assist Mueting Engineering.

Donald was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, and St. Joseph’s Society. He served as a Club Leader of the Lakeshore 4-H Club for many years. He loved to visit, and was a true conversationalist. He took pleasure in being a grandfather and enjoyed watching sports, especially events with family members on the team.

Survivors besides Patricia, his wife of 54 years, of the home are two daughters, Mary Beth (Dave) Schmelzle and Jodi (Bill) Bredemeier, both of Seneca; a brother, Bill Dalinghaus of Seneca; a sister, Virginia Winkler of Centralia; five grandchildren, Jason (Mandy) Bredemeier of Falls City, NE, Kevin (Kelly) Schmelzle of Seneca; Joey Bredemeier of Kansas City, MO, Matt (Michelle) Schmelzle of Marysville and Abbie Schmelzle of Topeka; and five great-grandchildren, Kade and Carson Bredemeier, Myiah and Trent Schmelzle and Jackson Schmelzle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, LeRoy “Roy” Dalinghaus on December 28, 2002.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday, August 9, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, where he will lie in state after 8 AM on Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 10, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.