Walter Benjamin Hammer 1905-1969

HAMMER, GUTEL, KARR, STRIGHT, ZEMKE, MCCONNELL, JOHNSON, DANIELSON, OLSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/16/2012 at 01:32:27

Senator Dies
Estherville – State Sen. Walter D. Hammer (R-Estherville) died early Wednesday [September 10, 1969] at a hospital here from a malignant brain tumor. He was 64. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, September 10, 1969)

Walter B. Hammer state senator, dies; rites are pending
State Senator Walter B. Hammer, 64, of Estherville, died earlier yesterday (Wednesday) at Holy Family Hospital in Estherville.

The Republican, who served one year in the Iowa General Assembly, represented the 45th district of Iowa, including Pocahontas, Palo Alto and Emmet Counties.

Senator Hammer had been in ill health for some time, and had been treated at University Hospitals in Iowa City and was hospitalized since late July at the Estherville hospital. He had a malignant brain tumor.

He was a native of Pocahontas County, and had been associated with Estherville schools for many years. He owned a farm north of Laurens.

Services were pending at Fuhrman Funeral Home at Estherville as the Sun went to press.

Senator Hammer defeated Democrat John G. Kibbie of Ayrshire for the state position in November, 1968.

With his death, district voters will have a special election to name a replacement for him. (Laurens Sun, Laurens, IA, September 11, 1969)

Walter B. Hammer
Funeral services were held Saturday in the First Presbyterian Church at Estherville for Walter B. Hammer, who died September 10 following an illness of several months. Rev. H. Allen Wirtz officiated.

Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery at Estherville. Honorary casket bearers were N.E. Demoney, W.C. Hilburn, Lawrence Jensen, Sen. Wayne Keith, Sen. J. Leslie Leonard, Arnold Mourtisen, William Ortmeyer, and Rep. Leo Sanders. Active casket bearers were nephews, Lloyd Danielson, Dennis Hammer, Norman Hammer, Sherill Hammer, Mark Johnson, and Ben Olson.

Walter Benjamin Hammer, the son of Louis and Mary Hammer, was born August 1, 1905 at Newell. He received his elementary education in the school at Varina and graduated from Varina High School. He was graduated from Buena Vista College and from the University of Iowa. On August 14, 1929 he was united in marriage to Clare Margaret Gutel of Storm Lake. The couple moved to Estherville June 2, 1944. Prior to that time he was principal of high school and superintendent of schools at Luann and superintendent of schools, Mechanicsville. He was principal of Estherville High School and dean of Estherville Junior College for 14 years. Due to expansion, the work was separated and he was principal of Estherville High School for 9 years.

Mr. Hammer was state senator from the 5th District for one legislative session. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club where he held various offices, served as Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Hammer is survived by his wife, Clara Margaret; two daughters, Mrs. Jay (Phyllis) Karr of Fulton, Missouri and Mrs. Richard (Lois) Stright of Scandia, Minnesota; three brothers, Herbert and Louis of Pocahontas and Mervin of Ringsted; five sisters, Mrs. Lester (Bessie) zemke of Fonda; Mrs. Robert (Laura Belle) McConnell of Riverside, Calif.; Mrs. Norman (Mary Lou) Johnson of Pocahontas; Mrs. Vernon (Luverne) Danielson of Albert City; Mrs. Milton (Dorothy) Olson of Peoria, Ill.; six grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. (Atllas of Pocahontas county, Iowa, Pocahontas, IA, September 18, 1969)