Elmer L. Deters, 76, of Centralia, KS, died late Friday morning, April 23, 2010 at the Onaga Hospital in Onaga after an extended illness.

Elmer was born February 2, 1934 to Lawrence and Rachel Rettele Deters at the family farm north of Baileyville. Elmer attended Baileyville School and worked on the family farm as a young man.

Elmer served in the U.S. Army from October 5, 1955 through August 26, 1957. While stationed in Germany, he traveled throughout Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. He particularly enjoyed seeing the ancient cathedrals of Europe during his travels. After his discharge, Elmer stayed in touch with his fellow servicemen from the Nemaha County area, Iowa, and Mississippi.

Elmer married Marilyn Swoboda on October 3, 1964 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover. They raised their eight children on the family farm west of Centralia, where he lived until the time of his death.

He was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Elmer served as a 4-H project leader and a back-up baby-sitter in Marilyn’s Daycare Business.

Elmer enjoyed being a farmer and worked tireless throughout his life raising various row crops, beef cattle and pork prior to specializing in dairy farming in 1983. Elmer retired from farming in 2006 due to his health but maintained his interest in farming through his sons who continue to own and operate the family farm–a great source of pride for Elmer. In addition to farming, Elmer was devoted to his children and grandchildren and enjoyed watching their school activities when his health permitted. He emphasized to them the importance of faith, honor in hard work, honesty, and self-reliance. Those who knew Elmer knew of his lifelong devotion to praying the rosary, a past time which particularly brought him peace throughout his illness.

Survivors besides his wife Marilyn are their children and spouses, Anita & Gary Schmitz of Seneca, D’Ann & Doug Decker of Holton, Joyce Deters of Topeka, Monica & Bill Holthaus of Centralia, Gina & Stan Niehues of Holton, Sharon & Casey Bloom of Wetmore, Daryl Deters of Centralia, and Craig Deters of Centralia; his siblings, Audrey Feldkamp of Baileyville, Gilbert Deters of Centralia, Virgil Deters of Baileyville, Paul Deters of Harveyville, Elaine Duryea of Baileyville, Rosann Huninghake of Seneca, Donald Deters of Vermillion, Larry Deters of Topeka, Mark Deters of Baileyville and Marceil Bergman of Seneca; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Mary Ruhkamp, Karlene Ronnebaum, and an infant sister, Reva.

Rosaries will be prayed 2 & 8 PM Monday, April 26, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Tuesday, April 27, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials maybe given for Community Healthcare System Home Health, or Sacred Heart Association for the Orphanage or Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.