Werner N. Ronnebaum, 88, of Seneca, KS returned home to the Lord on June 22, 2014, after a brief stay at Crestview Nursing and Residential Living in Seneca.

Werner was born on January 7, 1926 to August A. and Anna M. Wichman Ronnebaum on a farm north of Seneca. He graduated in 1944 from Seneca High School, where he was an outstanding basketball player. Although he wanted to serve his country in WWII, he had to stay behind to take care of the family farm.

On June 8, 1948, he married Lorena Mohrman at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived on a farm east of Seneca until his parents moved to Seneca in 1950. The young couple then returned to the Ronnebaum farm where they raised their family.

In addition to being a lifelong farmer and stockman, Werner held several other jobs through the years. He was a hard-working man who did bridge and grain bin construction, sold DeKalb seed, did custom harvesting and drove a school bus. People in the area who rode his bus as youngsters still remember him fondly. Werner was an accomplished carpenter and cabinetmaker, who built many kinds of things including cabinets for several people in the area.

Werner enjoyed dancing, roller skating, playing cards, watching westerns, traveling, and morning coffee at McDonalds. Mostly he liked riding his red scooter and spending time with family and friends. Werner belonged to the St. Joseph Society and a square dance club. He volunteered for the Mission Center in Seneca, and was a 4-H leader for many years.

He is survived by 12 children; Donna Sasser, Silver Spring, MD; Dan Ronnebaum, Seneca; Steve (Pat) Ronnebaum; Stanton, NE; Jean (Scott) Covey, Kansas City, MO; Dave (Sherry) Ronnebaum, Axtell; Bill (Becky) Ronnebaum, Seneca; Kathy (John) Welch, Topeka; Mary (Mike) Sack, Seneca; Joan (Lawrence) Davis, DeSoto; John (Noel) Ronnebaum, Augusta; Laurie (Joe) Fangman, St. Joseph, MO; and Cheri (Bob) Deters, Seneca. He also leaves 28 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and a brother-in-law, Leo Mohrman, Seneca, plus many nieces and nephews.

Werner was preceded in death by his wife; an infant son, Michael; his siblings, Bernice Buessing, Gladys Eaton and Quintin Ronnebaum, a son-in-law, Tim Sasser; and a daughter-in-law, Karlene Ronnebaum.

The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday June 26, 2014, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca with burial in the church cemetery.

Memorials in Werner’s honor may be given to St. Peter and Paul School, and sent in care of the family.