Carolee Marie Hammes, 61, of Seneca, KS, died on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Life Care Center of Seneca, after a couragous three to four year battle against cancer.

She was born on December 26, 1954, at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, to Elmer and Wilma Marie Gallagher Hammes. After her father was discharged from the US Army, the family moved to Axtell for two years and in 1961 to Seneca. Carolee graduated from Seneca Grade School and Nemaha Valley High School in 1973. In high school, she was a member of the Girl’s Glee Club.

She trained at the Sheltered Workshop in Seneca and worked and did housekeeping at the Windmill Inn in Seneca for 10 ½ years and for others in the community. She continued at the Training Center as a volunteer and participated in the Special Olympics where she ran the 440.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society. Bowling was one of her favorite pastimes. She bowled with the Early Bird League, the Sunday Night Mixed League, the Tuesday Mixed Bowling League, and with the Ladies Classic Wednesday Afternoon League.

She is survived by her three sisters, Charlene (Marlin) Boden of Soldier, Colette Niehues of Lawrence and Cheryl Hammes of Sterling, Virginia; five nieces and nephews; and nine great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer on March 10, 2004 and Wilma on September 10, 1976 and a great nephew Thomas Boden.

The Mass of Christian burial will be at 10AM on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. The burial will be in the church cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 7PM on Tuesday, May 24th the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

In lieu of flowers and mementos, memorials will be designated later, and may be sent in care of the family.