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, District # 10 located NW of Baileyville through the 8^th grade. He walked one mile each way to school. He attended Baileyville High School and 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 on a 240-acre farm south of Corning for 48 years which he farmed. He also operated a dairy until 1977. He began working for John Deere in St Mary’s in 1972 as a mechanic and truck driver. He retired in 1988. He then trucked for Lambert Heiman for several years. In 1997, they built a new home and moved into Corning. At the age of 73, he then 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. He was a very talented woodworker and, in his spare time he created many treasures for his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed donating his hand-crafted items to church functions and benefits.   He volunteered his time to mow and completed 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 in need and always made himself available when asked. Clete was a very talented person and could do almost anything he set his mind to. 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 of his time to his children and grandchildren giving them the gift of his very strong faith in the Lord. He was an amazing example of devotion to his loving wife, family and Christian faith and a very strong work ethic. 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 5^th, 2017 and son Daniel on June 28, 2014 and brothers Kenneth and Vernus and sister Elda Stallbaumer.

Mass of a Christian burial will be offered at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 10^th at St Patrick’s Church, Corning. A rosary will be prayed at 4:00 PM on Sunday December 9^th at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorial contributions may be left in Clete’s memory to the Nemaha County Training Center, Seneca, KS and/or the newly established Corning Community Fund with the Nemaha County STEP Foundation.