Elton L. Steinlage, 83, of Kelly, Kansas, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, at Life Care Center of Seneca.
He was born Feb. 26, 1937, on a farm south of Kelly, the son of Ferdinand and Dora Haverkamp Steinlage. He attended St. Bedes School and graduated in 1955. Elton worked on the family farm where he lived all of his life. Elton took great pride in being a successful farmer and stockman. He was a farmer that took pride in his livestock especially his cattle. Up until his last days he was always asking about his cattle on his farm.
Elton joined the Kansas National Guard on July 18, 1955, at Sabetha, Kansas, where he served with Battery A, 154th Filed Artillery at Sabetha from 1955 to 1958. He was activated in the U.S. Air Force. Elton was discharge on July 17, 1958 at the rank of SP 3.
He was a member of St. Bedes Church in Kelly. He dedicated his life to farming and hard work. Elton was a soft-spoken individual with a quick smile and a good sense of humor.
Survivors are his brother, Norbert of Kelly; and a sister, Melita Bodensteiner of Waucoma, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Alma Kramer on April 1, 2019, Geraldine Kramer on Nov. 27, 2019, Lorena Olberding on Sept. 10, 1998; and a brothers, Francis Steinlage on Jan. 15, 2004, and Ronald Steinlage on April 12, 2015.
Full military honors will be provided by the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Earl W. Taylor Post #21. A flag line will be provided by the American Legion Riders Post #21.
A rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bedes Catholic Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be given to St. Bede Heritage Fund and sent in care of the family.
Elton will lie in state at Lauer Funeral Home on Thursday, Dec. 2, for public viewing and to sign the book; the family will not be present that day.