Melvin H. Haverkamp, 87, of Seneca, Kansas, died Thursday, December 20, 2012 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca

Melvin Henry Haverkamp was born on December 2, 1925, son of Leo and Anna Fangman Haverkamp on a farm north of St. Benedict, Kansas. He grew up in the St. Benedict area, and after 8th grade graduation stayed at home to work on the family farm.

On October 18, 1949 he married Annalene “Annie” Wilhelm at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict.

After working at the Donaldson IGA in Seneca, Melvin and Annie purchased the grocery store in nearby Axtell in 1951. They sold the grocery store in 1957 and Melvin went to work for Wayne Neff Construction. In 1964 he was hired by the Seneca City Hospital, later called Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and retired from there in 1989 just prior to their opening their new facility on Community Drive.

Melvin and Annie also owned and operated Haverkamp Liquor & Mixer.

Melvin enjoyed listening to his polka music, eating chocolates, watching RFD channel, decorative rock carving, and numerous woodworking projects including many wooden fences for the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center.

He was a member of the Seneca Knights of Columbus Council #1769 as a 4th degree Knight, and the St. Joseph Society.

Melvin is survived by his wife Annalene “Annie”; his children, Carol Hood, of Waterville, Kansas, Diane (Jim) Bean of Topeka, Kathy Bohling, of Johnson, Nebraska, David (Myra) Haverkamp of Seneca, Myra (Dan) Koch of Seneca; three sisters, Lucille (Bernard) Kramer of Aurora, Nebraska, Theresa (Adrian) Koch of Holton, LeAnna (Pat) Baker of Topeka; a sister-in-law Dorothy (Vincent) Haverkamp of Seneca; 11 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Marcellus “Sally” Haverkamp, and Vincent Haverkamp; and step-grandson Patrick Bean.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, December 23, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Monday, December 24, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given in Melvin’s name for Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Health Care Foundation, St. Peter & Paul School, or Relay for Life of Nemaha County, and sent in care of the family.