Elmer B. Brinker, 84, of Seneca, Kansas, died Friday, February 23, 2001, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

He was born February 6, 1917, the son of Joseph and Minnie Rosengarten Brinker, on a farm south of Seneca. He grew up there and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in Seneca in 1935. Elmer worked at the Farmer’s Elevator and Winterscheidt Milling, both in Seneca, and later operated two gas stations. In 1953 he joined Bob Coon and Vic Robinson in C&R Supply, a furniture and appliance store in Seneca. Elmer brought out his partners in 1960, and changed the name to Brinker Furniture and Appliance Store. He retired in 1983 and his sons Bob and Steve continued to operate Brinker’s Home Furnishings. Elmer and his wife, Luella, both continued to help at the store for several years.

On October 8, 1940, he married Luella Hammes at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived in Seneca and had been married over 60 years. She survives of the home.

His memberships include Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Joseph Society at the church, and the Knights of Columbus Council #1769 for over 50 years, all in Seneca. He served on the Seneca Public School Board and also on the Seneca City Council.

Elmer enjoyed all kinds of sports and had played on the town baseball team. Some of his greatest pleasures were following his children in sports and later attending the games of his grandchildren.

Survivors besides his wife, Luella of the home are, four sons, Larry Brinker of Topeka, Robert “Bob” Brinker, Steven Brinker, and Marvin Brinker, all of Seneca; two daughters, Nancy Frehe and Myra Runnebaum, both of Seneca; a sister, Dorothy Sausser of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 23 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Brinker on April 14, 1946, and a brother, Gerald Brinker.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Monday, February 26, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 2 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, with a vigil prayer service at 7 PM.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School or Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and sent in care of the family.