Theresa J. Haverkamp, 101, of Seneca, KS, died Thursday, September 5, 2002, at Country View Estates care home in Seneca. She had been a resident there since last March.

She was born October 15, 1900, the daughter of Henry and Agnes Schaffer Olberding on a farm northwest of St. Benedict, KS. She attended Cottonwood School near their home, St. Mary’s School at St. Benedict, and helped on the family farm. As a young woman, she did domestic work and helped families with their children.

On May 3, 1921, she married John F. Haverkamp at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They farmed five miles north of St. Benedict and later in the Fidelity and Sabetha communities. In 1941 they returned to farm a half-mile east of St. Benedict. Following semi-retirement, they moved to a farm a mile west of Seneca where Theresa lived until March of 2002. He husband John preceded her in death on July 18, 1975.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict, the Altar Society at the church, and the Friendship Club, a sewing group. Theresa was an industrious person who loved cooking, taking care of her family, and entertaining guests with good food at her home. She also enjoyed gardening, raising fruit trees and chickens, and did a lot of canning. She celebrated her 100th birthday party in October 2000.

Survivors are three sons, Lillis, John J., and Kenneth A. Haverkamp, all of Seneca; four daughters, Angela DeVillier of St. Mary’s, Kansas, Cecilia Kohake of Sabetha, Luella Curti of Seneca, and Henrietta Dressman of Baileyville; 25 grandchildren, one step grandchild, and 26 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Henry John Haverkamp on July 12, 1926; a granddaughter, Jane DeVillier, on March 29, 1966; and a great-granddaughter, Jessica Koelzer on September 10, 1997; a brother, Joseph Olberding; three sisters, Rose Dreier, Frances Haug, Florentine Rethman; and six infant brothers and sisters.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Saturday, September 7, at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Mary’s Church, and sent in care of the family.