Obituaries Announcements

Lyle Rottinghaus
Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca
Seneca, KS

Lyle Rottinghaus, age 91, of Seneca, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025.

He was born on August 19, 1933, the son of Tony and Nora Rottinghaus. Lyle was the fourth in a family of eleven children. He grew up near Saint Benedict, Kansas, where he attended Saint Benedict Elementary School, graduated from Saint Benedict High School, and later attended Saint Benedict College.

Lyle proudly served in the United States Army from April 30, 1954, to April 4, 1956. He completed artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was stationed in Hawaii for over a year following the end of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

On August 25, 1959, Lyle married Diane Kramer at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic church in Seneca, Kansas. Together, they farmed north of Seneca for 60 years, raising both livestock and crops. Lyle and Diane were active in their community and enjoyed going to dances and playing cards with friends. He was a longtime member of St. Mary's Church, where he served on the church council and sang in the choir for many years alongside his wife.

Lyle had a lifelong love of baseball. He played well into his 40s and continued to coach and umpire for many years, often volunteering his time to support local youth sports. After retirement, Lyle and Diane moved into Seneca, where they cherished spending time attending their grandchildren's activities and events.

In his later years, Lyle lived at Life Care Center in Seneca, where he was cared for with compassion by the staff. He had a great sense of humor, loved telling jokes, and had a deep interest in the stock market—often joking about all the stocks he "should've bought." He enjoyed playing games on his iPad and staying connected with nieces and nephews through social media.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Joyce Anderson, and his brothers, Adrian Rottinghaus and Cletus Rottinghaus.

Lyle is survived by his loving wife of nearly 66 years, Diane; two sons, Dennis (Leanna) Rottinghaus of Seneca and Brian (Brandy) Rottinghaus of Olathe; six grandchildren, Madison Haverkamp (Dustin), Dalton Rottinghaus (Cassidy), Carter Rottinghaus, Brooke Rottinghaus, Brynna Rottinghaus, and Brett Rottinghaus; and three great-grandchildren, Paxton and Ward Haverkamp, and Lucy Rottinghaus.

Other survivors include his brothers, Galen and Ivan all of Seneca; Jerry of Bern; Emmett of Westmoreland; Eldon of Ozawkie and two sisters, Marie Eagan of Axtell and Edna Uruhart of Silver Lake.

A rosary will be prayed on Sunday June 22, 2025 at 2 P.M. at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM Monday, June 23, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in St. Benedict.

Full military honors will be provided by the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the America Legion Earl W. Taylor Post #21. A flag line will be provided by the American Legion Riders Post #21.

Memorials can be given in Lyle's memory to Seneca American Legion and sent in care of the family.