Eleanor A. “Gussie” Henry, 80, of Sabetha, KS, died before midnight Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the Sabetha Manor nursing home.

She was born December 15, 1924, on a farm south of Baileyville, KS, the daughter of Benjamin “Ben” and Philomena “Minnie” Dick Olberding. Gussie attended Baileyville schools and graduated from high school in 1942. She played softball and was the fastest left-handed pitcher in the area. Following high school, she moved to Kansas City, MO and was employed by Hallmark.

On February 6, 1943, she married Linus “Lin” Henry at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived on a farm north of Sabetha and a farm south of Seneca before her husband was inducted into the U.S. Army in January 1944. They lived at Army bases until July 1946 when he was discharged. They then moved to Sabetha where Lin worked for Keithly Plumbing. In 1954 they purchased the plumbing business, and Gussie was the office manager for the 53 years they owned and operated the business.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Sabetha and the Altar Society at the church. For several years she was active in civil defense and served as a spotter in a tower. She was on the NECAP Board for several years as an officer and attended many meetings on their behalf. Gussie liked quilting and all kinds of needlework, painting, wood carving, and made rag rugs for many years.

Survivors are her husband Lin of the home; a son, Jerry L. Henry of Redmond, WA; a daughter, Janis Allen of Azle, TX; two brothers, Elmer “Bud” Olberding of Baileyville and Earl Olberding of Topeka; four sisters, Viola Antle of Atchison, Margie Billinger of Kansas City, MO, Bobbie Droge of Kansas City, KS and Leona Droge of Topeka; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Lillian Fangman.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Nemaha County Home Health Hospice of Sabetha or Sabetha Manor nursing home, and sent in care of the family.