Leon F. Osterhaus, 80, of Seneca, KS, died on Thursday morning, March 21, 2019, at the Crestview Nursing and Residential Living in Seneca.

Leon was born on April 11, 1938, in Sabetha to John Francis and Elizabeth Huninghake Osterhaus. While Leon was quite young, the family moved to a farm north of Sabetha. He was two years old when family moved in 1941, to a farm north of Oneida. He attended school in Oneida, graduating from the 8th grade and he graduated from Oneida High School. Leon helped on the family farm before joining the National Guard in 1959, serving for seven years. He remained active on the family farm, where he and his brother Elmer learned the trade of blacksmithing from their father. His father died suddenly on August 6, 1959. Leon continued to farm with his brother, and they built and operated a blacksmith shop in Oneida. 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 Leon and Elmer, and their mother moved to Seneca.

After selling the business in 1965, Leon had a few jobs in Kansas City before returning to the area and went to work for Mac where he was a service manager for 12 years; before opening his own welding business in 1980, called Osterhaus Welding. After his health started to decline, and he was no longer able to do the welding, he closed his shop and went to work for Sac & Fox Casino for 5 years, before retiring. Leon was a tinkerer at making and creating many items from sight– spinning flowers, weather vanes, grabbers, and so forth as, there are too many to mention. To put it plain and simple, he just liked to work.

Leon married Barbara L. “Bobbie” Stallbaumer on July 3, 1965 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning. The couple celebrated 50 years of marriage, in 2015.

Leon was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. He was a dedicated husband, son, father, brother, and grandfather.

Leon was very devoted to the church, where he was an usher for the Sunday morning Mass. He also made all of the seating for the annual Labor Day church picnic. Leon was always lending a helpful hand. Leon took pleasure in camping, hunting, being outdoors and all activities with his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Bobbie on August 9, 2015; his daughter, Tracy Ann Osterhaus on September 5, 1970; his mother, Elizabeth on May 19, 2000; and a brother, Elmer on November 7, 2008.

 

Survivors are his sons, John Osterhaus of Seneca, Tim (Sandra) Osterhaus of Jonesborough, TN; his daughters, Angela House of Seneca and Stacy (Kirby) Vaughn of Frankfort; a sister, Leona Nichols of Dallas, TX; and four grandchildren, Caitlin House, Jo Beth Davis, Kyle Vaughn and Kaci Vaughn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM on Monday, March 25, 2019 at Sts. Peter & Paul in Seneca. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM on Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.