Eleanor Marie (Mergenmeier) Rusche, 94, of Seneca passed away on the birthday of her mother June 23, 2024, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.

Eleanor was born on January 2, 1930, at a farm southeast of Seneca, the daughter of George and Stella (Lierz) Mergenmeier.

Eleanor attended Humphrey School, and other one-room schools from elementary school to eighth grade.

Eleanor, at the age of 13, worked at many relatives' homes when new babies arrived. At the age of 16, she worked at Ann's Sandwich Shop where she met the “Love of Her Life”, Glen.

She married Glen E. Rusche on August 5, 1947, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Seneca, Kansas. Three days after they got married, they bought a Jeep Trencher and established their business, “Glen E. Rusche Trenching”. Throughout the years the business added excavating, plumbing and trucking. Eleanor did the bookkeeping for 47 years until Glen's death in 1994.

Eleanor was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, St. Ann's Altar Society and the VFW Auxiliary. She held a rosary from India, which was a 90th birthday gift from Father Arul.

A rosary was recited on June 26, 2024, at Lauer Funeral Home, Seneca, Kansas.

The mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Father Arul Carasala on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Seneca, Kansas.

The pallbearers were grandsons: Steven Rusche, Damian Rusche, Brian Rusche, Brad Rusche, Mark Spellmeier, Luke Spellmeier and Ryan Rusche. Burial was in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery. The presentation of offertory gifts were carried by granddaughters: Lena Gruenbacher, Brenda Rottinghaus, Kelly Osterhaus, Teresa Champagne, Melissa Ketter, Virginia Russell, Beth Swick and Danielle Fischer. Commentators were granddaughters Lena Gruenbacher and Teresa Champagne. Communion was distributed by Father Arul and Great Granddaughter Abigail Russell. The music was presented by Cyril Steinlage and Terry Nordhus.

Memorial contributions were given to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School or Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.

Eleanor's family and friends were her greatest love. She enjoyed cooking and serving food and coffee to anyone who entered her home. Her specialty was her fantastic fried chicken with milk gravy, which her family claimed as their favorite family recipe. Her grandkids loved her toasted velveeta cheese and grape jelly sandwiches, dunked in a cup of coffee.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, George & Stella Mergenmeier, her husband Glen E. Rusche, her sons Von, Danny Joe, and Jimmy, a daughter Mary Ann

Spellmeier, daughter-in-law Doris Rusche and son-in-law Reuben Spellmeier, two grandsons, John & Jeff Rusche and a granddaugher Jackie Rusche. Siblings preceding her were: Melvin (Dorothy) Mergenmeier, George (Nadine) Mergenmeier, Dorothy Mae (Ves) Koch, Rosalie (Bill) McMurphy and Marie (Merle) Welch.

Eleanor is survived by her sons Glen L. (Mary Ellen) and David (Gladys), 16 Grandchildren, 51 Great Grandchildren and 6 Great Great Grandchildren. Jeanette (Ernie) Graham of Casper, Wyoming, is her only surviving sister.

A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.

Memorials can be given in Eleanor- memory are to be Sts. Peter and Paul School, and sent in care of the family.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .