Charlotte A. Burdick, 81, of Seneca, KS, died early Tuesday morning, September 14, 2010, at Crestview Manor nursing home in Seneca.

She was born September 18, 1928, on a farm northwest of St. Benedict, KS, the oldest daughter of Clem and Florentine Olberding Rethman. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from St. Mary’s School at St. Benedict. She did domestic work in the area, and worked at St. Benedict in the school lunch program.

On May 2, 1953, she married Donald Burdick at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed south of Seneca for six years. In 1960 they moved to Seneca, where Charlotte worked in the Sts. Peter & Paul School lunchroom. On February 8, 1982, her husband Donald died as the result of an accident while working as a Kansas State Highway crew member. Charlotte worked as a cook at the Prairie Lounge and at Valentino’s in Seneca. In 1990 she was employed as an office helper at NEKAP in Seneca until she retired in 1995. She also did sewing and mending in her home.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, where she served as sacristan for several years, and the St. Ann’s Altar Society, where she served as rosary leader for funerals. Charlotte helped at the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center for many years. She was a member and past president of the Loyal Christian Benefit Association, and was awarded “Fraternalist of the Year” for volunteer service to her parish and community.

Survivors are two sons, Thomas G. Burdick and Terrance Burdick; two daughters, Carol Jensen of Owasso, OK and Jolene Wiltz of Sabetha; a brother, Rupert Rethman of St. Benedict; four sisters, Diane Mulryan of Seneca, Rosetta Umscheid of St. George, Willa Rae Wilhelm of Horton, and Roberta Lierz of Sabetha; and 5 grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Sperfslage, and a brother, Clem Rethman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Friday, September 17, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.