Melvin Joseph Haug, 86, of Seneca, KS, died on Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at Life Care Center in Seneca.

Melvin was born December 22, 1924, the youngest son of John B. and Philomena (Koelzer) Haug, on the family farm three miles north of Seneca. He attended school in St. Benedict and then began running the family farm, where he lived all of his life until moving into Seneca in 2008.

On November 18, 1950, Melvin married Ruth Ann Fangman at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict; they raised seven children. Ruth preceded him in death on December 7, 1974.

Melvin married Antonia Wassenberg on September 2, 1988; she survives him.

As a young man he really enjoyed baseball. Growing up during the Great Depression, he lived a simple life and worked hard to be successful in farming. He took great pleasure in driving through the countryside to see the crops in the field and check on his livestock. He enjoyed nothing more than family gatherings and reunions. He was an optimist with a serious side, but loved to play cards, kid around and make people laugh.

All of his life he was a parishoner of St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict; he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1769 in Seneca. He served on the school board of B&B District #451 for 13 years and as president for three years. In 1984 Melvin was a founding member of the Community National Bank in Seneca and served on the board of directors for 18 years. He was also on the board of the STEP Foundation.

Survivors include his children (and their spouses), David (Pam) Haug of Kansas City, MO, Karen (Wayne) Gurley of Laurel, MD, Mary Ellen (Larry) Deters of Topeka, Elizabeth (Terry) Engelken of Ames, IA, and Chris (Duane) Roeder, John (Linda) Haug, and Martin (Staci) Haug, all of Seneca; his last remaining sister, Armella Schmits of Seneca; and 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his step-children, Elaine Manahan and Renee (Dick) Uhlich of Seneca, and Dan and Tim Wassenberg of Baileyville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Clara Meyer and Ursula Lueger; brothers, Lawrence, Pete, Ambrose, and Aloysius; and a step-daughter, Gloria Wassenberg.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday, September 1, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Friday, September 2, at St. Mary’s Church in St Benedict. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

A memorial fund will be set up in Melvin’s name by the family at a later date.