Mary Catherine Reinecke, 85, of Seneca, KS, died early Monday morning, June 16, 2008 at Life Care Center in Seneca.

Mary was born on July 8, 1922 to John and Mary Oenbring Schmitz at the family farm northwest of St. Benedict. She attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict and helped on the family farm.

She married Frank J. Reinecke on April 15, 1942 in at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Their first home was a farm near Axtell. Mary traveled with Frank to his Air Force assignments in Albuquerque, Amarillo, and Fort Worth, working different jobs of her own at each stop.

When Frank was assigned to overseas duty, Mary returned to the farm near St. Benedict. She was part of the devout group of parishioners from St. Mary’s Church who regularly prayed the rosary at the grotto in St. Benedict for the safe return of those serving in WW II. Frank returned safely on December 8, 1945 and the following January they moved to a farm southeast of Baileyville.

Mary was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville and the Altar Society in which she had served as an officer. Mary loved being a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and seamstress, a good friend, and a loving wife and mother. She was also a skilled card player. Mary enjoyed the many card games with friends as a member of the Happy Hours Club, but her competitive side really showed when playing SkipBo and Uno with the grandchildren. In her later years, Mary enjoyed writing letters to her family and friends.

Mary and Frank celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April of 2002. In December of that same year, Frank passed away and Mary moved from the family farm to Seneca.

Mary will be missed by her six children, Linda Walrod of Overland Park, Elwin Reinecke of Berryton, Jim Reinecke of Seneca, Carol Caffrey of Lillis, Julie Strathman of Bern, John Reinecke of Charlotte, NC, 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include a sister, Rosella Bergman of Seneca and a brother Ambrose Schmitz of Baileyville.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, and seven brothers, Vince, Paul, Sylverius, Ed, Virgil, Francis and John Schmitz.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday, June 17, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Wednesday, June 18, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given for Sacred Heart Cemetery or Life Care Center of Seneca, and sent in care of the family.