Marie H. Stallbaumer, 89, of Seneca, Kansas, died early Monday morning, May 5, 2003, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

She was born July 28, 1913, the daughter of Frank and Mary Agnes Osterhaus Deters, on the family farm northeast of Baileyville. She attended Baileyville schools and helped on the family farm. As a young woman, she worked in homes caring for newborns, elderly people, and doing domestic work.

On April 10, 1940, she married Paul J. Stallbaumer at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived and farmed west of Seneca for four years before moving to a farm northwest of Centralia. In 1976 they retired and moved into Seneca. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1990. Her husband Paul preceded her in death on October 14, 1997. She was also preceded in death by two infant children, Gerald on December 3, 1942, and Jeanette on November 27, 1943.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Seneca. She was a former member of Sacred Heart Church and the Altar Society in Baileyville. Marie took great pride in the achievements of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She crocheted many beautiful afghans and doilies for her family and friends.

Survivors include a son, Leon Stallbaumer of Centralia; a brother, Francis Deters of Centralia; two sisters, Emma Holthaus of Horton and Clara Krogman of Baileyville; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband and two infant children, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Aloysius, Edward and Joseph Deters; and two sisters, Ann Ronnebaum and Alvina Stallbaumer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, May 7, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 P.M. Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the Marie H. Stallbaumer Memorial Fund, to be used for her great-grandchildren’s education, and sent in care of the family.