Marguerite E. Strathman, 98, of Seneca, KS, passed away Marguerite E. Strathman, 98, of Seneca, KS, passed away at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca on Saturday, January 9, 2021, from complications of a stroke she suffered on January 7th.

She was born on January 22, 1922 to Michael B. and Helen E. Banks Quinlan, on a farm south of Seneca. When she was two the family moved to Dawson, Nebraska; and then in 1927 the family returned to Nemaha County. She started her schooling on September 2, 1929 at Picnic Country School, which was across the field of their home. She attended St. Peter & Paul School 7th-12th grades; and graduated with the Class of 1940. In, 1941 she attended school in Corning, Kansas to obtain her Teaching Certification. She taught at several country schools from 1941-1946.

On February 27, 1946 she married Francis Schmits; to this union two children were born, Elizabeth “Betty” and Daniel. Francis died on March 29, 1951. She and her children moved in with her parents and she began working for Dr Mollahan.

 On May 25, 1954, she married Adrian Strathman at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived on the farm southeast of Axtell until 1957 when they moved to a farm north of St. Benedict, KS. They farmed and operated a Grade A Dairy until 1970. They retired from farming and moved into Seneca in 1983. Marguerite was employed by the Rural Water District No. 3 from 1974-1989. The couple celebrated over 45 years of marriage; Adrian died on March 16, 2002.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca and a past member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St Benedict; and the Altar Society. She was a member of the Red Hatters and enjoyed crafting of all kinds. Adrian and Marguerite were members of the Seneca Squares and enjoyed dancing with the club for many years. She enjoyed quilting and sewing; and was a 4-H Leader for several years.

Besides her parents, and both her husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Schmits on May 4, 1970; a granddaughter, Emily Dawn Montgomery on August 22, 1986; three brothers, Bernard, Wilfred and Donald (who died during infancy); and a sister, Esther Feldkamp.

She is survived by two sons, Leroy (Julie) and Paul (Laurie) Strathman, both of Seneca; four daughters, Betty (Jim) Sudbeck and Teresa (Dan) Stallbaumer, both of Bern, Bernice (Paul) Montgomery of Topeka, and Marilyn Glissman of Olathe; a sister, Anna Mae Ice of Centralia; 18 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

Marguerite will lie in state at Lauer Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 for public viewing and to sign the book; the family will not be present that day.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 AM Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. A Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 at the church, prior to the Mass. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given in her memory to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, sent in care of the family.