Kenneth J. Rethman, 79, of Seneca, KS, died Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. He was transferred there from Life Care Center in Seneca, where he had been a resident since September 2008.

Ken was born January 30, 1931, on the Rethman homestead in Baileyville, KS, the oldest of seven children born to Anthony J. “Tony” and Emma M. Enneking Rethman. He attended Baileyville Grade School and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1948.

On April 16, 1951, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He proudly served his country during the Korean War. His tours of duty included Japan and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged on January 16, 1955.

On September 1, 1956, he married Margaret J. Rottinghaus at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2006. The couple had four children. After a brief career in farming, they moved to Topeka, KS where Ken was employed by DuPont. In 1963 they moved to Pawnee City, NE where they owned and operated Ken Rethman Ford Sales. During this period, he also served on the Board of Directors of the Pawnee County Bank. In 1974 they moved to Seneca where they owned and operated the Royal Motel. In 1981 they moved to their current location on 11th Street, and Ken started a business selling and repairing vacuum sweepers and other small equipment. In 1984 Ken became one of the founding members of the Community National Bank and served on the Board of Directors.

Ken loved being around people and enjoyed buying, selling and trading merchandise with them. He thoroughly enjoyed driving and traveling and was able to fulfill his desire while employed for Roeder Implement, Hammes Trucking, Seneca Ready-Mix and Koch & Company. Through his lifetime of travels, Ken staked claim to visiting all 50 states. Ken collected hats, model cars and toy tractors. He was also an amateur photographer, starting from his days with the Air Force.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Society, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Earl W. Taylor Post #21, all in Seneca.

Survivors are his wife of 53 years, Margaret, of the home; their children, Gary (Pam) Rethman of Omaha, NE (grandchildren Alicia and Jason Reese, Colby and Brennan), Randy (Jennifer) Rethman of Emporia (grandchildren Brayden, Sophia and Sadie), and Janet (Charles) Rethman-Huber of Overland Park (grandchildren Madison and Samantha); his brother, Jim Rethman of Topeka; and two sisters, Patricia Ann Buser and Betty Blankenship-Smarker, both of Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori Rethman on March 17, 1976; his brothers, Norman and Gerald Rethman; his sister, Karylee Schiffelbein; his mother, Emma on November 7, 2001; and his father, Tony on May 8, 1972.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Saturday, March 6, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Friday, March 5, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.