Rochus J. Enneking, 93, of Seneca, Kansas, died on May 1, 2019 at Crestview Nursing and Residential Living in Seneca with loving family at his side.

He was born in a farmhouse near Kelly on November 24, 1925 to Joseph and Mary Deters Enneking. He graduated from the 8th Grade from Kelly Grade School and worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the Army. He served his country during WWII; and was stationed on Okinawa (an island off Japan).

He returned to Nemaha County and on June 13, 1950, he married Esther Skoch at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. The couple farmed and lived on the family homestead, ran a dairy and had nine children.

Rochus was an active member of St. Bede’s Catholic Church, the VFW and American Legion and served on the Illinois township board.   He enjoyed attending family events, playing a wild game of cards (Buck Euchre & pitch) with many tables bearing the brunt of his knuckles, and was a voracious reader (Esther thought he read every book in the library).

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gerard Enneking on October 31, 1961; and siblings, Vitus Enneking, Theresa Korte, Alphonse Enneking, Scholastica Holthaus, Zita Long, Radegunda Huerter and Joseph Enneking.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Esther, children, Damian (Kris) Enneking of Seneca, Karen (JT) Wells of Wichita, Michael (Bonnie) Enneking of Hiawatha, Douglas (Lois) Enneking of Bern, John (Sharon) Enneking of Seneca, David (Ilene) Enneking of Centralia, Mary Ann Enneking of Seneca and Jeanette Enneking of Wichita; siblings, Mary Gorious of Wisconsin and Damian Enneking of Kansas City; 21 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Rosaries will be prayed on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 2 and 7 P.M at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, May 4, 2019 at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly at 10:30 A.M. Burial will be in the church cemetery at a later date.

Memorials are for Nemaha County Training Center and/or Nemaha County Military Museum sent in care of the family.