Donald F. Strohmeyer, 80, of Axtell, KS, died Friday, March 30, 2001, at the Hanover Hospital in Hanover after an extended illness.

He was born January 27, 1921, on a farm north of Seneca, KS, the son of Eugene and Bertha Stuke Strohmeyer. Don graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in Seneca in 1938. He worked at the Curtis Candy Company for a year and attended the University of Kansas for a year before entering the U.S. Army during World War II. He served at Fort Leavenworth at the induction center doing clerical work until his discharge on February 6, 1946. He then earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kansas, and also worked towards a doctorate. He taught science at Andale High School in Andale for a year before returning to Axtell in 1949. In Axtell he owned and operated Rexall Drug Store for 12 years. He later began work for the U.S. Postal Service and retired as the Axtell postmaster in 1987. From 1987 to 1990, he served as principal of St. Michael’s Catholic Grade School in Axtell.

On June 2, 1948, he married Jacquelyn “Jackie” Schafer at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. She survives of the home in Axtell. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1998.

Don was a member of St. Michael’s Church at Axtell where he served as a lector, a Eucharistic minister, and president of the school board. He was a 50-year life-member of the Knights of Columbus and a 50-year member of the American Legion, both in Axtell. He was a founding member of the Seneca Golf Course, the club champion numerous times, and also won the Northeast Kansas Open several times.

Survivors besides his wife are four sons, Don Strohmeyer of Bellevue, NE, Dan Strohmeyer of Manhattan, KS, Doug Strohmeyer of Omaha, NE, Damian Strohmeyer of Lexington, MA; a daughter, Donna Kinley of Plainfield, IL; and 14 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lynn Strohmeyer on January 19, 1992, and his twin brother, Eugene Strohmeyer on March 19, 1994.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Monday at St. Michael’s Church in Axtell. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery with full military honors. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca and at 7 PM Sunday at St. Michael’s Church.

Memorials may be given for St. Michael’s School, and sent in care of the family.