Lela M. Elder, 72, of Seneca, Kansas, died on Friday, December 18, 2009 at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Lela was born as a twin on June 8, 1937, to Anthony and Helen Meyer Tanking on a farm three miles east of Seneca. She attended school at St. Gregory Grade School and graduated from Marysville High School in 1955. After graduation, she worked as a dental assistant in Marysville.

On September 3, 1956, she married Lowell Elder at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Marysville. As newlyweds the couple moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, until Lowell shipped out for Korea with the military. Lela then returned to Marysville, and began working at the Montgomery Ward Store. When Lowell returned from military duty, the couple relocated to Seneca to raise their family. Lela worked as a homemaker until her children entered school. She then worked as a bookkeeper for the Nemaha County Co-op, for the Nemaha Valley School District for 27 years, for the Nemaha County Training Center for 18 years, and also numerous part time jobs.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society, and the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Guild, all in Seneca. She enjoyed bowling, sewing and gardening and gave generously of her time to benefit others.

She is survived by and will be missed by her husband of 53 years, Lowell Elder of Seneca; her mother, Helen Greiveldinger of Seneca; her sons, Lee and wife Geralyn Elder of Andover, Lynn and wife Gina Elder of Bennington, Larry and wife Karla Elder of Topeka, and Les and wife Dana Elder of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her daughter, Lisa and husband Mike Stallbaumer of Seneca; her sister, Donna and husband Gene Turchek of Loveland, Colorado; her brother, Ray and wife Ruthann Tanking of Richmond, Texas; and 16 lovely grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Anthony Tanking; her twin sister, Lila Burdiek; her step-father, Alfred Bonte; and her step-father, Henry Greiveldinger.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, December 20, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Monday, December 21, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given in Lela’s memory for the Nemaha County Training Center, the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, or the Sts. Peter and Paul Building Fund.