Lawrence A. Hammes, 91, of Seneca, Kansas, formerly of Baileyville, died Tuesday, November 30, 1993 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. He was transferred there from Country View Estates nursing home in Seneca, where he had been a resident since February 1987.

He was born January 13, 1902 at St. Benedict, the son of Theodore and Anna Broxterman Hammes. He grew up there, attended a rural school, and Baileyville School. He became a farmer and a stockman.

On April 14, 1926 he married Cornelia “Cora” Stallbaumer at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They farmed southwest of Seneca until moving to a farm west of Seneca. As well as farming, livestock and a dairy, he did custom corn shelling, baling hay and threshing. He also did custom combining and trucking in the area.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he served on the church committee for many years, and the Benedictine Oblates, all in Baileyville, and the Knights of Columbus Council #1769 in Seneca for 73 years. He also served as a director on the Baileyville Bank Board for many years. Lawrence was highly respected in the community for his honesty and work ethic. He also took very good care of his wife for several years while she was in failing health.

Survivors are six sons, Alvin (Sara) of Shawnee Mission, Gerald (Cleta Mae), Galen (Dorothy) and Leo (Mary Jane), all of Seneca, Kenneth (Alice) of Baileyville, and Larry of Independence, Missouri; five daughters, Cleta Mae (Remi) Haverkamp of Centralia, Dorothy (Vern) Bergman of Topeka, Bernice (Gene) Heiman of Baileyville, Mary Rose (Mark) Feuerborn of Richmond, Jeanette (Orville) Dick of Meriden; a brother, Raymond of Topeka; a sister, Marie of Centralia; 39 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

His wife Cora died on July 15, 1975. He was also preceded in death by a son, Donald Hammes on November 21, 1967; a grandson, Roger Hammes on March 22, 1987; and two sisters, Irene Koelzer and Frances Hammes.

Rosaries were prayed at Lauer Funeral Home on Wednesday by the Knights of Columbus and on Thursday by the parish and friends. Mass of Christian Burial was offered by Fr. Ed Weigel on Friday at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Music was provided by the church choir. Lector was Sharon Stallbaumer; communion distributor was Mary Lou Koelzer. Gift bearers were his five daughters.

Burial was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were grandsons, Bob, Mike, Chris, Neal, Chad, Ryan, David, Gary, Greg and Brad Hammes; Randy & Steve Haverkamp; Eddie Bergman; Dan Heiman; Kevin Feuerborn and Jim Dick.