Albert A. Rottinghaus, 77, of Seneca, Kansas, died Thursday, December 28, 2000, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

He was born January 16, 1923, on a farm southwest of St. Benedict, Kansas, the son of Alvin and Rose Haverkamp Rottinghaus. He graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and then from St. Benedict High School in 1941.

Albert moved to Kansas City, Kansas, and worked for North American Aircraft Company. In 1943 during World War II, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served in the South Pacific, Tinian Island, as an airplane mechanic. He was discharged in March 1946 and returned to farm near St. Benedict.

On June 11, 1946, he married Helen Siess at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. She survives of the home in Seneca. They farmed and lived northeast of St. Benedict until they moved to the Conrad Siess homestead in the same area. They raised livestock and operated a dairy. Albert and his brother Justin also owned a bulldozer and did conservation work. In 1988 Albert and Helen moved to Seneca.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the St. Joseph Society at the church in Seneca, and formerly a member of St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict, where he served on the church committee. He was a member and past commander of the Seneca Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion in Seneca. He was proud to have served his country.

Survivors besides his wife Helen are two sons, Ardan Rottinghaus and Wayne Rottinghaus, both of Seneca; two daughters, Sylvia Haug of Baileyville and Jane Stueve of Meriden, Kansas; six brothers, Wilbert Rottinghaus of Baileyville, Justin Rottinghaus of Seneca, Leonard Rottinghaus of Axtell, Elmer Rottinghaus of Kansas City, Kansas, Galen Rottinghaus of Yuma, Arizona, and Regis Rottinghaus of Pasco, Washington; four sisters, Dorothy Fangman and Mildred Heinen, both of Mesa, Washington, Mary Ann Dressman of Frankfort, Kansas, and Rosalita Skeels of Shawnee, Kansas; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 PM Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 3 PM Friday, with a prayer service at 8 PM Friday, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Mary’s Church Restoration Fund or Sts. Peter & Paul School Building Fund, and sent in care of the family.