Richard L. Slemp, 85, of Seneca, KS, died Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. He was transferred there from Country View Estates care home on Monday evening after he became ill. He had been a resident at the care home since April of 2001.

He was born August 28, 1917, on a farm near Tuttle, OK, the son of Thomas and Nora McPhail Slemp. Richard grew up there and graduated from Tuttle High School in 1935. In 1938 he married Anna Sue Porter in Tuttle, where they lived on and managed a dairy farm. In the early 1940s they moved to Falls City, NE, where he owned and operated a propane business. They were later divorced.

On May 30, 1954 he was married to Harriett Voltmer. They moved to Tulsa, OK, and he worked for R.J. Allison Company, a fuel business. Later he started his own propane business, RL Slemp Fuel Tank Service, in Tulsa. Richard also had farmland east of St. Joseph, MO, and farmed that while he was living in Tulsa. He retired about six years ago. Due to failing health, he moved to Seneca in April of 2001.

He enjoyed his work and visiting with his friends at Waffle House in Tulsa.

Survivors are his two daughters, Sue Lee of Seneca and Roxi Slemp of Cheverly, MD; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Slemp on February 13, 2002; a stepdaughter Gail Ann Voltmer in 1979; and three brothers Earl, Ray, and J.R. Slemp.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca, KS 66538.

Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca is in charge of arrangements.