Robert L. Ward, 81, of Seneca, KS, formerly of Centralia, died on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO.

Robert was born in Centralia on March 9, 1929 to Floyd and Helen Flentie Ward. He attended a country school and graduated from Centralia High School in 1946. During his youth he helped on the family dairy farm delivering milk. He attended Kansas State University and was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity.

He returned to Nemaha County after college and began his farming career. He loved to be outdoors and took great pleasure and pride in the livestock (cattle and hogs) he raised and the crops he grew. Robert was a steward of the land; and received recognition from the Nemaha County Conservation Office in 2005 for his efforts and dedication to preserving the soil that he tilled. He remained active in the management of his farm until his death.

On March 27, 1949 he married Gweneth Louise Schooler at the UCC First Congregational Church in Centralia. The couple celebrated 45 years of marriage before her death on August 29, 1994. Robert married Joan Bergman in Seneca on April 12, 1996.

He was a lifelong active member of the UCC First Congregational Church of Centralia, serving as a deacon. He was a member of the Centralia School Board and the Masonic Lodge for 60 years. Robert took great pleasure in fishing, camping and traveling. He enjoyed sports and relished a good card game. Robert realized the importance of family and spent his entire life being a family-oriented man.

Besides his first wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Wanda Louise Broadfoot on January 13, 2006; and a brother, Raymond Ward.

He is survived by his wife Joan of Seneca; daughters, Karen Lea (Rick) Rivera of Wakarusa and Janette Marie (Craig) Boucher of Topeka; his sister, Mary Colwell of Centralia; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by six step-children, Michael (Joyce) Bergman of Baileyville, Ann (Ron) Kaster of Du Bois, NE, Beth (Richard) Siess of Seneca, Mary (Paul) Winkler of Kelly, Teresa (Maurice) Skoch of Topeka and Julie (Christian) Arnold of Kansas City, MO; 21 step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, February 19, at the United Church of Christ First Congregational Church in Centralia. Burial will be in the Centralia City Cemetery. There will be a family visitation from 5 to 7 PM Friday, February 18, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials can be given for the UCC First Congregational Church in Centralia, and sent in care of the family.