Elmer F. Suther, 72, of Seneca, KS, died Wednesday evening, June 13, 2007, at the Hutchinson hospital.

He was born September 6, 1934 on a farm near Oneida, the son of Herman and Alvina Lierz Suther. Elmer attended school at Sts. Peter & Paul School until the 8th grade, then helped on the family farm. At the age of 15, he ventured to Topeka and worked for a gas station. In 1954, he joined the U.S. Army and served his country for two years. After his military service, he took a job with Conroy Construction in Topeka and worked for them until 1961. He returned to Seneca and managed the Prairie Lounge Restaurant until 1966. After returning to the area, he helped his dad who had a construction business. In 1966, he opened Suther Building Supply, and in 1970, he purchased Conner Hardware. He merged the two and created one of the cornerstone businesses of the Seneca area for the past 37 years.

Elmer married Sonja Jeanneret at St. Patrick’s Church in Coal Creek on April 11, 1959. He loved to build things, especially working with his sons. When not hard at work, he took great pleasure in camping, fishing and hunting.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, the St. Joseph Society, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the V.F.W., the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion of Seneca, the Mid-America Lumber Association, and the Seneca Fire Department. Elmer volunteered with the Seneca Fire Department for 20 years and 3 months, serving as Chief in 1983. In addition, he served on the planning and variance committees for the city of Seneca.

Survivors besides his wife Sonja of the home are two sons, Rodney and Jay, both of Seneca; four daughters, Kim Hermesch and Connie Runnebaum, both of Seneca, Carol Reese of Albuquerque, NM, and Dana Lueger of Atlanta, GA; two brothers, Melvin of Frankfort and Cletus of Ohio; three sisters, Rosie Honeyman of Seneca, Pat Hasenkamp of Holton, and Anna Mae Stotler of Oklahoma City, OK; and 15 grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 9 AM Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorial contributions may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul Grade School, the Nemaha Valley Grade School, or the Seneca Fire Department Museum, and sent in care of the family.