Cletus Haverkamp, 94, of Corning peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on December 6, 2018 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca, KS.   

Cletus was born on September 22, 1924 on the family farm NW of Baileyville.  He was the son of Edward B. and Mary (Mae) Feldkamp Haverkamp.  He attended a country grade school, NW of Baileyville, District # 10 through the 8th grade.  He walked one mile to school.  He attended Baileyville High School, graduated in 1942.  He went to school three days each week and worked the farm the other two days as his father was ill.  After graduation, he continued farming the family farm until 1949.

On September 20, 1949 he married the love of his life, Ann Lierz, at Annunciation Church in Frankfort.  They celebrated many wonderful anniversaries and were blessed with 67 years of marriage.  They made their home and he farmed a 240-acre farm south of Corning for 48 years.  He also operated a dairy farm until 1977.  He began working for John Deere in St Mary’s in 1972 as a mechanic and truck driver until his retirement in 1988.  He then trucked for Lambert Heiman for several years.  In 1997, they built a new home and moved into Corning.  He then, at the age of 73, began a new career of grading roads for Red Vermillion and Reilly townships which he continued for 16 years, retiring from this job at age 90.  He also served on the Red Vermillion township board from 1969 until 1994.

His hobbies included gardening and woodworking.  In his spare time, he was a very talented woodworker and created many treasures for his children and grandchildren.  He also enjoyed donating these treasures to church functions and benefits.   He also enjoyed volunteering his time by mowing and other activities for St. Patrick’s parish for many years and was a member of the Corning Knights of Columbus, Post 13394.  He loved helping anyone who needed and always made himself available.  He was also a member of National Farmers Organization (NFO).  His greatest joy was spending time with his family.  He was a faithful husband and loving father.  He gave his time to his children and grandchildren giving them the gift of his strong faith in the Lord.  He was an amazing example of devotion to his loving wife, family and Christian faith.  He is survived by 24 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren.  

Cletus was a member of St. Patrick’s Church where he and Ann prayed together an hour of adoration each week for many years.  

He is survived by eight children, who watched over and loved him dearly – Mary Ann (Harold) Brokamp, Dorothy (Harry) Taylor, Cleta and Sharon Haverkamp, Gary (Diane) Haverkamp all of Corning; Monica (Mike) Shaughnessy, and daughter-in-law Connie Haverkamp of Silver Lake; Vernon (Sue) Haverkamp of Goff and Galen Haverkamp of Topeka.   

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Haverkamp on February 5th, 2017; a son, Daniel on June 28, 2014; brothers, Kenneth and Vernus; and sister, Elda Stallbaumer.

Mass of a Christian burial will be offered at 10 AM on Monday, December 10th at St Patrick’s Church, Corning.  Rosary will be prated at 4 PM on Sunday, December 9th at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorial contribution will be given to Nemaha County Training Center and/or the newly established Corning Community Fund with the Nemaha County STEP Foundation.