Nancy Hodgson Hammer, 80

Nancy Hodgson Hammer passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday morning, July 11, 2008, in Kalispell. She was the middle child born to Joseph and Phyllis Hodgson in Helena, on April 24, 1928. Nancy grew up in Great Falls with her older brother, Walker, and younger sister, Joan (deceased).

Nancy attended college at Montana State University, where she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority and Mortar Board. She graduated from MSU with a degree in consumer sciences and a teaching certificate. She later attended the University of Montana and received a master's degree in reading.

While attending college in Bozeman, she met the love of her life, Howard, to whom she was married for more than 50 years. They enjoyed snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, playing cards and traveling with friends.

Together they raised their three children, Tripp, Todd and Jane. Nancy was a school teacher and reading specialist in the Hamilton public schools for 28 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian churches of Hamilton and Kalispell. She was a third generation P.E.O. and a charter member of Chapter BC in Hamilton.

She thoroughly enjoyed music, playing piano and flute, and performing in the church bell choir. She also enjoyed having her grandchildren spend time with her at her Flathead Lake cabin.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; sister; husband; and daughter, Jane Hammer Holmgren.

She is survived by her brother, Walker Hodgson; her sons, Tripp, and Todd and Liz Hammer; son-in-law, Paul, and Sue Holmgren; grandchildren, Kate and Ben Hammer, Sara and Brad Holmgren, and Sarah, Trey and Kyle Griffith.

A special thanks to the wonderful staff of the Immanuel Lutheran Nursing Home for the tender loving care they provided to her during the past three years.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jane Hammer Holmgren scholarship fund, c/o Cathy Manhart, 981 Strawberry Ave., Billings, MT 59105; or the charity of the donor's choice.