Louise G. Stuke, 84, of Seneca, KS, died Monday, September 15, 2008, at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca, where she had been a resident since July of 2003.

She was born October 9, 1923, on the Niekamp homestead east of Baileyville, KS, the daughter of Herman and Alice Larkin Niekamp. She attended Sacred Heart School in Baileyville and helped on the family farm.

On March 2, 1943, she married Wilber H. Stuke at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived on the Stuke family farm for two years before moving southeast of Seneca, where they lived the remainder of their married life. Louise and Wilber celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in March of 1993; Wilber preceded her in death on August 1, 1994.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Seneca; she sang in the church choir for years and volunteered at the Mission Center.

Louise loved her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. She liked to sew, do craftwork, and play cards. She was the kind of person who liked to help and do things for other people. Besides taking care of her home she loved to work outdoors in her yard and tend to her flowers. She liked animals and fed all the birds she could get to visit her, and to her own testament she had many. Whenever she could find the time she would go fishing with her grandchildren and friends. She was never too busy to stop and have a cup of coffee with a neighbor, friend, or family member.

She is survived by three sons, Galen of Seneca, Wayne of Topeka and Dale of Wichita; two sisters, Aurelia Stallbaumer and Cecilia Niekamp, both of Seneca; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Niekamp (an infant) on March 12, 1916, and Elmer Niekamp on March 18, 2000; and a sister, Anna Hammes on August 14, 2003.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Thursday, September 18, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Wednesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given in Louise’s memory for Nemaha Valley Community Hospital or Sts. Peter & Paul Church, and sent in care of the family.