Raymond E. Rilinger, 94, of Seneca, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2019 at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.

He was born on January 11, 1925 on a farm north of Seneca, to George J. and Mary E. Fangman Rilinger. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School in St. Benedict, Kansas; and graduated from St. Benedict High School with the Class of 1943. As a young man, he helped his father on the farm, while his brothers served in the military.

On September 1, 1951, he married Alice A. Stallbaumer at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived on a farm north of Seneca where they built a new home. They raised hogs, feed cattle, chickens and operated a dairy. After retiring in 1989, they moved into Seneca in March of 1990.

Raymond was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and St. Joseph Society. He was a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He helped for 20 years delivering Meals on Wheels in Seneca.  He enjoyed polka dancing, fishing and spending time with his family. He and Alice enjoyed a trip to Germany and a few other bus trips throughout the US, before his wife was stricken with PFP. He was a huge fan of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Ann on November 14, 2000; sons, Dale Regis Rilinger on June 6, 1968 and Eugene A. Rilinger on August 13, 2010; his parents, George on March 4, 1993 and Mary on March 10, 1961; and his brothers, Melvin on February 17, 1969, Albert on February 16, 2007, Aloysius on December 5, 2011, George Jr. on February 23, 2013, Edgar on May 14, 2015 and Paul on October 17, 2017.

He is survived by his children, Gerald Rilinger of Sabetha, Donald (Jennie) Rilinger of Topeka, Glenn Rilinger of Roseville, CA, Kenny (Clarice) Rilinger of Lakin, KS, Ted (Dalene) Rilinger of Auburn, KS and Bobby (Cindy) Rilinger of Kansas City, MO; Nancy (Elwin) Reinecke of Berryton, KS, Linda (Glenn) Osterhaus of Seneca, Judy (Lynn) Hall of Smith Center, KS and Sue (Ken) Rhoads of Seneca; a brother, Emmett Rilinger of Parker, Colorado; his sisters, Sr. Dorothy Marie Rilinger, Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas, Anna Marie Ruefer of Davenport, Iowa and Sr. Jean Marian Rilinger, Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren and 16 step great-grandchildren.
Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 A.M. on Friday, June 28, 2019 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in St. Benedict.

Memorials can be given in Ray’s memory to St. Mary’s Cemetery and/or Sts. Peter and Paul Church Stained Glass Window Fund, sent in care of the family.

Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .