Earl Hammer, 90
Earl Hammer, 90, 'went home to his Lord and Saviour' on Feb. 2, 2007, with his loving family at his side in Kalispell. He was born June 23, 1916, the oldest of five children, at the family farm near Cushing, Iowa, to Ben and Dora Hammer.
Being raised on the farm, he was never afraid of hard work and continued that throughout his life. His love of the farm and livestock led him to farming, which he enjoyed for more than 50 years.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served proudly as signalman first class on the USS Colorado, which was one of the battleships that fought in the major battles in the Pacific Theater. He kept close ties to those he fought next to — they were truly a band of brothers. Over the years, they and their families attended many USS Colorado Navy reunions across our country.
In 1950, Earl married the love of his life, Elaine Stickney. Together they danced through and created 56-plus years of treasured memories. Together they raised four children and always continued to be involved in their lives.
They moved off the farm in 1989 and retired to Sioux City, Iowa. Earl's interests continued to be building where he spent many hours remodeling and creating gifts for the grandchildren. He and Elaine also found time to travel in all the states except Alaska. Montana became a second home for them. Earl loved the outdoors, family gatherings, animals and sports — especially golf. He participated in 4-H, American Legion, the USS Colorado alumni, Methodist Men, XYZ, and men's golf leagues. He was a master gardener. They were members of Grace United Methodist Church in Morningside.
Earl will be remembered always as an honest, caring, and humble man who found joy and courage in his family and faith. His kindness and love for family was a blessing to all who knew him and loved him. Earl loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. They always brought great joy to him and vice-versa. He taught them valuable lessons of life. He will be missed very much but will live in our hearts forever.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; two daughters and their husbands, Dianne and Dallas Gronley of Columbia Falls, and Lynne and Jamie Gronley of Kalispell; two sons and their wives, Daryl and Maggie Hammer of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Randall and Amy Hammer of Mountain City, Texas; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; three brothers and their wives, Donald and Wilma of Odebolt, Iowa, Alvin and Phyllis of Cherokee, Iowa, and Dean and Karen of Ida Grove, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Vesta, and her husband, Frank Fey.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Feb. 9, at the Barker Funeral Home in Holstein. Family will be present. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Holstein United Methodist Church. Pastor Todd Schlitter will officiate. Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City.