Eileen A. Duryea, 94, of Seneca, Kansas, died on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the Life Care Center of Seneca.

Eileen was born on born on a farm north of Baileyville on April 17, 1928, to August and Elizabeth (Osterhaus) Wessel, she was one of thirteen children.  Eileen went to a country school for two years before attending Sacred Heart School in Baileyville. She helped  on the family farm before going to work at the Axtell Hospital.  She moved to Topeka, Kansas and was employed by Security Benefit Hospital in Topeka.  Later she returned to Seneca and worked for the Winterscheidt Café.

On August 17, 1948, she married Charles T. “Ted” Duryea, Jr., at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. The couple lived in Seneca until 1962, when they moved to Bern. In 1970, they returned to Seneca.  In 1967 they opened Duryea Upholstery, which serviced customers for over 40 years.

Eileen was an avid seamstress; she sewed for her children and enjoyed their upholstery business. Ted and Eileen celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1998. In her free time Eileen enjoyed playing cards, fishing and spending time with her family.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, she was an active member of the St. Ann’s Altar Society, and a past officer. She was also a past communion minister for those home bound.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted on February 23, 2006; sisters, Hilda Bergman, Lucille Tanking, Helen Hermesch and Alma Dwerlkotte; and brothers, Ed, Henry, Albert, Vincent, Benedict, Lawrence, Clarence and Norbert.

Survivors are five sons, Ronald (Sharon) Duryea of Topeka, Donald (Beth) Duryea of Solomon, Dennis (Joyce) Duryea of Topeka, Greg (Lesa) Duryea of Morrill, and Merle (Rose Mary) Duryea of Seneca; three daughters, Marilyn (Eldon) Koch of St. Joseph, Missouri, Debra (Gary) Meyer of Sabetha, and Kay Lynne (Marvin) Gabb of Spring Hill, Kansas; 49 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM on Sunday, January 22nd at Lauer Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM on Monday, January 23, 2023 at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials will be designated at a later date.