HAM, Robert Wayne 1926-2013

HAM, BECKER, GARTH, BRICKER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/21/2013 at 16:06:56

Robert Wayne Ham

MASON CITY, IOWA - Robert Wayne Ham, 87, of Mason City, died Thursday, June 20, 2013, at his home.

Cremation has taken place and a Graveside Inurnment Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 1, at the Osage Cemetery, with Pastor Duane Lookingbill in charge of services. Military honors at the grave will be handled by Osage American Legion Post 278. Following the services at the cemetery, everyone is invited to the Osage American Legion, 504 Main Street, for lunch and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be given to the United Church of Christ in Osage, Osage American Legion Post 278 or a charity of your choice and mailed to the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, P.O. Box 84, Osage, IA 50461-0084.

Wayne was born June 16, 1926 in San Diego, California, to former Mitchell County residents, Roland and Lura (Becker) Ham. As a toddler he moved to a farm near Parkers Prairie, Minnesota.

In 1932, they moved to the family farm near Mitchell, where he attended school and graduated in 1944. Wayne joined the United States Navy directly after graduation. He attended training schools in Idaho, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania, before being stationed aboard the cruiser USS Portsmouth, where he was in charge of all air conditioning and refrigeration. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Returning home Wayne married and farmed in the Mitchell and St. Ansgar areas, until purchasing land southwest of Osage in 1957. In 1977, he divorced and moved to Mason City, where he was a real estate broker with the Century 21 franchise, until retiring in 2003.

Wayne married Mary (Diane) Garth in 1982, they were married for 26 years, until she passed away in 2008. During his farming years he was a 4H leader, belonged to many farm related boards and enjoyed playing various sports. As a realtor, he served on the Mason City Board of Realtors where he served as president from 1988 to 1989. In both Mason City and Osage, Wayne served in many lay capacities of the local Congregational Church and has been a member of the Osage American Legion since 1946.

Wayne is survived by a son, Steve (Janet) Ham, of Osage; a daughter, Janelle Ham, of Clear Lake; his grandchildren, Jeremy (Jenn) Ham of Osage, Jamie (Sarah) Ham of Lake Mills, Holley Counsell of Mazeppa, Minnesota, Erin Toppin of Clear Lake, Tim (Deidre) Toppin of Mason City and Noelle Toppin of Rudd; eight great-grandchildren, his brother, Keith (Marlene) Ham of Osage, his nephews and niece, Jim Ham, Ron Ham and Jean (Ron) Evenson and families; his step-sons, Greg (Denise) Garth, Mark (Paula) Garth and David (Michelle) Garth; nine step grandchildren, his step brother, Pat (Joan) Duffy of Kerrville, Texas; his step sister Kay (Ray) Denkhoff of Abilene, Texas.

Wayne was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife, Diane; a sister, Marilyn Bricker; a step son, Gary Garth and many friends.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, 641-732-3706.

Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com .

Source: Mitchell County Press, 6/21/2013