Theresa J. Haverkamp

Theresa J. Haverkamp, 101, of Seneca, Kansas, died Thursday, September 5, 2002, at Country View Estates Care Home in Seneca. She had been a resident since March of this year.
     She was born October 15, 1900, the daughter of Henry and Agnes Schaffer Olberding on a farm northwest of St. Benedict, Kansas. She attended Cottonwood School near their home, St. Mary's School at St. Benedict, and helped on the family farm. As a young woman, she did domestic work and helped families with their children.
     On May 3, 1921, she married John F. Haverkamp at St. Mary's Church, St. Benedict. They farmed five miles north of St. Benedict before farming in the Fidelity and Sabetha communities. In 1941 they returned to farm 1/2 mile east of St. Benedict. Following semi-retirement, they moved to a farm a mile west of Seneca where Theresa lived until March of 2002. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, on July 18, 1975, a son, Henry John Haverkamp on July 12, 1926, a granddaughter, Jane DeVillier, on March 29, 1966, and a great-granddaughter, Jessica Koelzer on September 10, 1997.
     She was a member of St. Mary's Church at St. Benedict, the Altar Society at the church, and the Friendship Club, a sewing group. Theresa was an industrious person who loved cooking, taking care of her family, and entertaining guests with good food at her home. She also enjoyed gardening, raising fruit trees and chickens, and did a lot of canning. She celebrated her 100th birthday party in October 2000.
     Survivors are three sons, Lillis Haverkamp, John J. Haverkamp, and Kenneth A. Haverkamp, all of Seneca; four daughters, Angela DeVillier of St. Mary's, Kansas, Cecilia Kohake of Sabetha, Luella Curti of Seneca, and Henrietta Dressman of Baileyville; 25 grandchildren, one step grandchild, and 26 great-grandchildren.
     Besides her husband, son, and granddaughters, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Olberding; three sisters, Rose Dreier, Frances Haug, Florentine Rethman, and six infant brothers and sisters.
     The mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Saturday, September 7, at St. Mary's Church in St. Benedict. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Friday at 2 P.M. and at 7 P.M.
     Memorials may be given for St. Mary's Church and sent in care of the family.