Datha C. Holsapple, 86, of Seneca, KS, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2009 at Eastridge Nursing Home in Centralia.

Datha was born September 30, 1923, in the Ford Community southeast of Seneca, the daughter of Charles and Datha Alice Parnell Gurney. She attended the Ford School. The family moved to a farm southwest of Goff, and Datha then graduated from the eighth grade at the Union School. She graduated from the Bancroft School in 1942.

On June 10, 1942, she married Laverne C. Holsapple at Everest, KS. The couple lived on a farm northwest of Corning. When her husband joined the service the following September, she went to live with her parents in Hiawatha, during which time she worked at a restaurant. When Laverne returned from the service in 1945 the couple moved back to their farm. In 1957 they purchased a farm southwest of Centralia. In 1970 she opened Datha’s Hobby Craft Store in Seneca. She taught ceramics and other craft classes. She sold the store to Mary Ann and Richard Haugsness in 1987; she continued to help them until December of 1991.

She joined the Methodist Church as a young woman in Corning. She was talented at many arts and crafts and shared her love of them with others.

She is survived by her children, Larry of Seneca and Ronald of Overland Park; grandchildren, Jeff , Julie, Jon, and Joy; great-grandchildren, Brie, Hayden, Holden & Chase.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her sisters, Lila Wiere and Ruth Sferlazza; and brothers, Cleave, Norman, Charles and George Gurney.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 9, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Family will meet with friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Corning City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given for the Seneca United Methodist Church or Eastridge Nursing Facility in Centralia, and sent in care of the family.