Earl Thomas Hammer 1916 - 2007

HAMMER, STICKNEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/30/2016 at 21:59:37

Sioux City Journal
8 February 2007

HOLSTEIN, Iowa -- Earl Thomas Hammer, 90, of Sioux City, formerly of Holstein, went home to his Lord and Savior on Friday, Feb. 2, 2007, in Kalispell, Mont., with his loving family at his side.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Holstein United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Todd Schlitter officiating. Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City. Visitation with the family present will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Barker Funeral Home in Holstein.

Earl was born June 23, 1916, at the family farm near Danbury, Iowa, to Ben and Dora Hammer. He was the oldest of five children. 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 December 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served proudly as a signalman first class on the USS Colorado, which was one of our battleships that fought in the major battles in the Pacific Theatre throughout World War II. 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 reunions around the country.

In 1950, he 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.

His interests continued to be building, where he spent many hours remodeling and creating gifts for the grandchildren. The couple also found time to travel every state except Alaska. Montana became a second home for them. He 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 league. He was a master gardener. They were presently members of Grace United Methodist Church in Morningside.

He 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. He 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, Mont., and Lynne and Jamie Gronley of Kalispell, Mont.; two sons and their wives, Daryl and Maggie Hammer of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Randall and Amy Jammer of Mountain City, Texas; seven grandchildren; 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; and a sister and her husband, Vesta and Frank Fey.