Joseph H. Buessing, 98, of Axtell, Kansas, died November 27, 2012, at Life Care Center in Seneca, where he had been a resident since October 2005.

Joseph Henry Buessing was born November 29, 1913 on a farm east of Axtell, the son of Joseph and Helena Engelken Buessing, the sixth of nine children. He attended the Sacred Heart School in Baileyville until the 8th grade, also helping on the family farm. He attended two years of high school at Maur Hill in Atchison, then two years at Axtell High School where he graduated in 1932.

On January 30, 1940 Joe married Margaret Mary Fienhage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. The couple farmed south of Baileyville for five years before purchasing a farm a half-mile east of Axtell. They operated a Grade A dairy and also raised livestock. In the fall of 1960, they purchased a drug store, Buessing Sundries in Axtell. They also owned and operated the Axtell Laundromat.

They sold their farm and moved into Axtell in 1972. Joe was clerk at the Axtell Post Office for 18 years, retiring on December 30, 1988. In 2000, after a serious car accident, they moved into a smaller home after Margaret was unable to take care of a large house. Joe enjoyed taking over house-keeping duties. On July 7, 2001 they held a sale where they divested the many antiques they had collected over a lifetime.

Joe enjoyed life and his morning coffee breaks. He liked to repair antique furniture. He loved to read and play cards, always keeping score.

He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Axtell and served on the church committee. The couple celebrated 69 years of marriage before Margaret died on May 13, 2009.

He is survived by six daughters, Jane (Clarence) Nordhus of Baileyville, June (Walt) Rottinghaus of Seneca, Joan (Ken) Frankel of Pasadena, California, Ruth Rottinghaus of Richmond, Washington, Connie (Eldon) Rottinghaus of Ozawkie and Peggy (Terry) Rottinghaus of Axtell; a son, Jim (Martha) Buessing of Shell Knob, Missouri; a sister, Norene Ronnebaum of Independence, Iowa; and 22 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers John, Louis, Paul, Bernard and Vince Buessing; sisters Marie Mueting and Hermena Shalsky; and a grandson, Blake Buessing in 1994.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 1, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Axtell. A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM at the church in Axtell. He will lie in state at Lauer Funeral Home on Friday until 4 PM. He will be buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Axtell next to his wife Margaret.

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