Melita B. Haverkamp, 91, of Seneca, Kansas, died afternoon Friday, July 2, 2004, at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca.

She was born December 3, 1912, on a farm southeast of St. Benedict, the daughter of Frank and Lena Bergman Melcher. She attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict.

On February 14, 1933, she married Andrew J. Haverkamp at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived in Seneca where “Andy” managed the Farmer’s Elevator. Andy preceded her in death on March 3, 1979.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society, the Seneca Woman’s Club, where she held several offices, and the Sunflower Home Demonstration Unit, all in Seneca. Melita was a CCD teacher and did other volunteer work at the church. She enjoyed playing bridge and painting along with her sisters. Melita took pride in her home, and enjoyed keeping up her garden and flowers.

Survivors are four sons, Gerald of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; Marvin of Fargo, North Dakota; Carrol “C.E.” of Scottsdale, Arizona; Terry of Olathe, Kansas; a daughter, Marlene Sinnott of Topeka; two brothers, Francis and Elmer Melcher, both of Seneca; three sisters, Lucille Wichman and Evelyn Waters, both of Seneca and LaVon Strathman of Juda, Wisconsin; 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant sister in 1910, an infant twin brother and sister in 1914, an infant brother in 1918, and a brother Vern on March 11, 1976.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM Tuesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 2 PM Monday by St. Ann’s Altar Society, with a prayer service at 7 PM, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul Church or St. Mary’s Restoration Fund, and sent in care of the family.