Elaine Winifred (Stickney) Hammer 1921-2013

STICKNEY, HAMMER, GOTHIER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/12/2013 at 13:08:23

Sioux City Journal
9 February 2013

SIOUX CITY | Elaine Winifred (Stickney) Hammer, treasured wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother joyfully went dancing into the arms of our Lord on Feb. 5, 2013, in Kalispell, Mont. Elaine, 91, of Kalispell, was a former resident of Holstein, Iowa, and Sioux City.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Tim Bonney officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be a light lunch following the service Wednesday at the church. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home in Holstein. Online condolences can be made at nicklasdjensenfh.com.

Our mother was born on Dec. 13, 1921, west of Anthon, Iowa, near the west fork. Her parents were Frank and Ida (Gothier) Stickney. Her dad called her "Sal" and her mom called her "Annie". She insisted on going to country school at the age of 4, as long as her big brother was with her. That began her interest in teaching.

She graduated from Smithland (Iowa) High School in 1938 at the age of 16. Due to her young age, her parents had her stay at home before going on to college. She would say it was God’s gift to her to spend that time with her beloved mother. They worked and played the time away. In 1940, she enrolled at Wayne (Neb.) State Teachers College, where she would say it was the best time ever, as she made many lifelong friendships. She received her teaching certificate and taught in one room country schools near Cherokee and Deloit, Iowa. One of her fondest memories was teaching at Town School for Boys in San Francisco, Calif., during World War II. Her next adventure took her to Denver, Colo., where she studied comptometer at the business college there. She returned to Sioux City, where she was employed with Wagner, Garrison, and Abbott at the Sioux City Stockyards.

At the Woodbury County Fair, when Mom was just 12-years old, her older brother, Norman, introduced her to a handsome friend of his whom in time would become her lifelong devoted husband. It took 17 years for their paths to cross again, and on Feb. 18, 1950, she married Earl Thomas Hammer at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City. Their first home was on a farm near Cushing, Iowa, where they began to raise their four children. Mom was very proud to be a homemaker. In 1960, the family moved to a farm northwest of Holstein and stayed in this area until they retired.

Mom enjoyed being involved in many areas including United Methodist Church, Women’s Circle, the Order of the Eastern Star, Ida County 4-H committees, Monday Club and Homemaker Club. Dad and Mom couldn't pass up any opportunity to go dancing, whether it was square dancing or ballroom dancing. They would travel as far as 50 miles for the chance to dance. Mom was well known for baking bread. Just as the kids got off the school bus, she'd be pulling out her wonderful bread. She raised the most beautiful flower and vegetable gardens and canned most of her produce. Her other passions included her needlework, entertaining, traveling, music and reading the book of Psalms. She loved to write, as she completed 50 years of diaries as proof.

In their golden years, Dad and Mom traveled to every state in the nation, except Alaska. They made many a trip to Montana and Texas to visit their grandchildren.

They also enjoyed going to Navy reunions across the country to be with their very dear friends. Mom was Dad's best co-pilot on each trip. Together they enjoyed each adventure. It was easy for Mom to meet a stranger who would soon become her friend. She was a joy to everyone who met her. Mom was a woman filled with love for God, her family and friends. She had vitality for life that was contagious. She was extraordinary. Mom loved and adored each and every one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never stopped teaching, even up to her last breath.

Mom, we will miss your beautiful smile, your laughter, your wittiness, your feisty spirit, your purses, your classy red hats and your love for Iowa. We know you are dancing in heaven with the love of your life. Mom, you will remain in our hearts forever.

Elaine is survived by her daughter, Dianne Gronley and her sons, Nate and wife, Jen, and Adam; son, Daryl and wife, Maggie; son, Randall and wife, Amy, with their daughters, Katie and husband, Chad, and Mollie; daughter, Lynne and husband, Jamie Gronley and their children, Jacob and wife, Becky, Emily and husband, Jason and Jeff and wife, Mary; as well as 13 great-grandchildren, Zoe, Justin, Chad, Chase, Aidan, Gracie, Bailey, Addison, Triston, Benjamin, Jackson, Chloe, and Colton; her baby brother, Leo and wife, Phyllis of Smithland; brothers-in-law, Donald, Alvin and Dean; sisters-in- law, Lois Stickney of Wichita, Kan., Wilma, Phyllis and Karen; plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her loving husband, Earl; her parents, Frank and Ida Stickney; brother, Norman; and son-in-law, Dallas Gronley.

The family would like to thank the caring hands from Buffalo Hill Terrace and Bratsberg wing at Immanuel Lutheran Home. Mom was particularly grateful for her true friend and sister-in-law, Karen Hammer, for sending a weekly letter and a picture over the past seven years. Mom was tremendously blessed by so many.