Sylvester W. “Pat” Nordhus, 93, of Seneca, KS, died Monday, June 14, 2010 at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca.

He was born December 12, 1916, on a farm northeast of Seneca, the son of Henry J. and Josephine (Waller) Nordhus. He attended Sts. Peter & Paul School and helped on the family farm. He entered the U.S. Army on August 18, 1942, and served with Army Air Corps in the 390th Bombardment Group n England, loading bombers and fighter. He worked as a toxic gas handler; attaching chemical bombs to planes, preparing smoke bombs, sky markers, and incendiary bombs to be dropped from the planes. He served 30 months in the European Theater of Operation. After discharge, he returned to Nemaha County and resumed work on the family farm.

He was married on February 26, 1949, to Rose Ann Reinecke at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They farmed west of Seneca for two years and in September of 1951 moved to the Nordhus Homestead northeast of Seneca. Pat was a farmer and a stockman. In May of 1975 he retired from farming and moved into Seneca. He and Rose Ann operated the Funny Farm Restaurant and miniature golf course for George Gudenkauf for one and a half years, and worked for Schendel Pest Control for five years. In addition, he worked in maintenance for the Seneca Housing Authority until his retirement in November of 1994.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Joseph Society, the Knights of Columbus #1769 for over 50 years, and the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion, all in Seneca. Pat enjoyed fishing and playing horse shoes. He bowled in the league at the Knights of Columbus for many years.

Survivors are his wife, Rose Ann Nordhus of the home; two sons, Martin ( Terry) Nordhus and Steve (Bonnie) Nordhus, both of Seneca; three daughters, Sylvia (Robert) Hildebrand of Kansas City, MO, Tina (Ken) Strathman and Geriann (Gary) Melcher, both of Seneca; a brother, John Nordhus of Seneca; two sisters, Mary Macke of Seneca and Rita Keith of Kansas City, MO; 18 grandchildren and 20 great-gandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Nordhus, on August 23, 1994; and two sisters, Margaret Stallbaumer and Teresa Heiman.

Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 AM Thursday, June 17, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. The burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Wednesday, June 16, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the Sts. Peter & Paul Nature Park Fund, or Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.