Paul W. Senne

Paul W. Senne, 90, lifetime resident of McFarland, passed away Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. Born on April 10, 1917 in McFarland, he was the son of John and Mary (Sass) Senne. On June 8, 1940, he married Margaret Gnadt at the Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland. She survives of the home. Paul was a retired auto mechanic whose career training began while working as a teenage apprentice in his father’s business, The Senne’s Garage, of McFarland. After his father’s death, Paul joined a business partnership with his brother, Herb, and together they operated the Senne’s Motor Repair Shop at the very same location until their retirement in the late 80’s. Paul and his wife, Margaret, owned the Mill Creek Valley Mobile Home Site in McFarland from 1971 until 2001 and were also Knapp Shoe Sales Representatives for a number of years. He was also an avid bowler and bowled on a team for many years in both Manhattan and Wamego. Paul was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland and had previously served as sexton for the congregation. Paul had also served as a city council member and mayor of McFarland. Survivors include: his wife Margaret, of the home; his five daughters and their spouses, Ruth Nehring and Harold of Wamego, Jean Palenske and Francis of Alma, Joyce Mohan of Basehor, Paula Thompson and Randy of Alma, and Mary Havenstein and Stanley of McFarland; his sister Irene Skinner of Alma; his seven grandchildren, Janice Nehring of Belton, MO, Ronald Nehring and wife Kelly of Wamego, Troy Palenske and wife Kim of Abilene, Julie Whearty and husband Dee of Belton, MO, Todd Palenske and wife Corki of Topeka, Shanna Leonard and husband Jarrod of Alma, and Corey Thompson of McFarland; his five great-grandchildren, and two step great-grandchildren. Paul is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Selma Hasenbank and Esther McAninch, his brother Herb Senne, and his son-in-law Joseph Mohan. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday June 25 at Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland. Mr. Senne will lie in state on Sunday from 12-5 at the Stewart Funeral Home in Alma. He will also lie in state on Monday one hour prior to the funeral services at the church. There will be no evening visitation. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church of McFarland, The Lutheran Hour Ministries, or to the charity of the donor’s choice and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, P.O. Box 126, 66401.