Rose Ann M. Nordhus, 97, of Seneca, Kansas, died on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the Nemaha Valey Community Hospital in Seneca.

She was born June 13, 1925, on a farm southeast of Baileyville, Kansas, the daughter of John J. and Rosa Hohe Reinecke.  She grew up there, attended Sacred Heart School in Baileyville, and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1943.  She helped on the family farm.  Her Mother died when she was 18 months old.  She was the youngest of the family and kept house for her father and brother Clarence until her marriage.

On February 26, 1949, she married Sylvester “Pat” Nordhus at Sacred Heart Church at Baileyville.  They farmed west of Seneca for two years and in September of 1951 moved to the Nordhus Homestead northeast of Seneca.  During the 1960’s she was employed as a cook at Sts. Peter & Paul School, the Prairie Lounge, and the Seneca Hospital.  From 1983 to 1993 she was employed at the Seneca Nutrition Center to help prepare the meals.  Rose Ann and Pat operated the Funny Farm Restaurant and miniature golf for George Gudenkauf for one and a half years.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society, and the Ladies Christian Benevolent Association all in Seneca.  Rose Ann enjoyed playing the piano, growing flowers, and needlework.  She was interested and involved in genealogy on both sides of the family.  She was also a stamp collector and had fun doing crossword puzzles.

Rose Ann was preceded in death by her husband Sylvester “Pat” on June 14, 2010, her son Timothy Nordhus on August 23, 1994. four sisters, Sr. Theophane Reinecke OSB, Helen Stallbaumer, and twin sisters Clara Sextro and Rita Holthaus; Two brothers Frank Reinecke and Clarence Reinecke. Son-in-law, Robert  Hildebrand, on Oct 14, 2018.

Survivors are; two sons, Martin (Terry) Nordhus of Seneca, Steve (Bonnie) Nordhus of Topeka; three daughters, Sylvia Hildebrand of Kansas City, MO, Tina (Kenny) Strathman and Geriann (Gary) Melcher both of Seneca; and a daughter-in-law Sylvia Nordhus of Olathe.  18 grandchildren 46 great-grandchildren and one great grandchildren on the way, 2 great-great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Thursday April 20, 2023, at 2 P.M. and the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be at 7 P.M.

The mass of Christian burial will be 11 A.M. Friday April 21, 2023 at Sts.Peter & Paul Church.  The burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School and sent in care of the family.