Erma Dorothy Osterhaus, 90, of Seneca, KS, died Thursday afternoon, December 29, 2011, with her sons at her side, at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca, where she had been a resident since 2007.

She was born on September 21, 1921 to Luke and Clara Engelken Haug on a farm northeast of Baileyville. She attended a country school near Baileyville before the family moved to a farm southwest of St. Benedict. She then attended St. Benedict School and helped on the family farm.

On October 30, 1946 she married Paul B. Osterhaus at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed east of Seneca until 1972, when they moved to Seneca. Erma worked alongside her husband at Suther’s Building Supply until 1982. The couple celebrated 36 years of marriage before Paul’s sudden death on November 24, 1982.

Erma worked at Crestview Manor care home for 18 years, retiring at the age of 81.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Altar Sodality in Seneca. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, quilting and embroidering. She relished a good card game, especially 10 point pitch and pinochle. She loved country music. Family was very important to her and she cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her three sons, Larry and wife Karen Osterhaus, Ron and wife Elaine Osterhaus, and Wayne and wife Nancy Osterhaus, all of Seneca; two brothers, Lambert Haug of Seneca and Regis Haug of Denver, CO; two sisters, Delores Boeckman of Seneca and Marceil Rottinghaus of Centralia; six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband Paul, she was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Urban Haug.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 2, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given in Erma’s memory for Sts. Peter & Paul Building Fund, and sent in care of the family.