Lucille Mary Wessel Tanking, 77, of Seneca, KS, died early Tuesday morning, August 24, 2010, at her home, after a short battle against leukemia.
Lucille was born on January 11, 1933, the daughter of August and Elizabeth Osterhaus Wessel, on a farm northwest of Baileyville, KS. She grew up in the Baileyville community and attended Sacred Heart Grade School. She helped on the family farm before going to work for the Gilford Hotel in Seneca, where she worked until marriage.
On June 27, 1953 she married Regis Tanking at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. While Regis served his country in the military, she lived in Louisiana. The couple returned to Nemaha County and lived on a farm from 1955 until 1959, when they moved to Seneca.
Lucille worked as a nurse's aide from June 1977 until May 1987 at the old Seneca hospital. After the new hospital opened, she worked in the dietary department until 2002, retiring after 25 years of service to the hospital and the Seneca community.
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, the St. Ann's Altar Society, and the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion Auxiliary, all in Seneca. Lucille enjoyed cooking and making quilts for her family and friends, as well as canning from a large garden. She took special interest in all her grandchildren and enjoyed flowers.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Regis, of the home; two sons, Glen Tanking of Palm Springs, CA and Duane (Jane) Tanking of Seneca; two daughters, Karen Tanking of Axtell and Lori Tanking of Seneca; a brother, Albert "Bert" Wessel of Frankfort, KS; four sisters, Helen Hermesch, Eileen Duryea and Hilda Bergman, all of Seneca, and Alma Dwerlkotte of Marysville; and three grandchildren, Eric, Katie and Jeff.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Ed, Henry, Vincent, Benedict, Lawrence, Clarence, and Norbert.
Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 AM Thursday, August 26, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.