John Henry Rottinghaus, 78, of Seneca, Kansas, died suddenly Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at his farm north of Seneca.

John was born in Seneca, on March 6, 1938, the son of John I. and Ethel Wietharn Rottinghaus. He attended grade school in St. Benedict and graduated from St. Benedict High School in 1956. In the fall of 1956 John went to St. Benedict College in Atchison for two years until his father had a stroke and he returned to the farm to help with the operation. While in College John entered the Army National Guard and was attached to Btry “A” 2 nd How.BN. 130 th Artillery, military and was discharge as a PFC.

On August 14, 1965 John married Gladys M. Mueting at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. After getting married John and Gladys moved to a farm that the owned north of St.Benedict. John and Gladys moved in to Seneca in 2012 but john continued to farm until his death.

John was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1769 in Seneca. John had also served on the Church council.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years Gladys of Seneca; three sons, Mike (Nichole) Rottinghaus of Loveland Colorado, Steve (Shawna) Rottinghaus of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Kevin of Olatha; two daughters Shelly (Mark) Frohardt of Lenexa and Becky (Eric) Boehmer of Bern; two brothers, Leroy (Grace) Rottinghaus of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Eugene (Karen) Rottinghaus of Plano, Texas; and three sisters, Mary Jane (Leo) Hammes of Seneca, Rita (Bob) Buessing of Seneca, and Joann Rottinghaus of Seneca.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John I. on October 30, 1961 and Ethel on March 10, 2011; a brother Francis on September 19, 2008, his sister, Janice Heiman on July 13, 2008, and two infant sisters, Mary and RoseAnn.

A rosary will be prayed 2 P.M. on Sunday, January 29, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial, will be 10:30 A.M. on Monday, January 30, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. The burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials will be determined at a later, and sent in care of the family.