Thelma M. (Keyser) HAMMOND

HAMMOND, KEYSER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/29/2008 at 20:52:02

Thelma Hammond, 78, business owner & active in community

Thelma M. Hammond, daughter of Leona and Marion Keyser, was born on January 16, 1930, in Dayton, Iowa. She grew up in Lehigh, Iowa, until the family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa. She graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1947. She was a dental technician after completing her education. She married Bob Hammond on July 4, 1948, in Fort Dodge. After a honeymoon, they moved to Minneapolis, Minn., where her husband was attending Dunwoody Institute. While they lived there, she worked as a telephone operator for Diamond Iron Manufacturing. They lived in Minnesota until 1952 when they moved back to Fort Dodge, living there until 1957 when they relocated to Eagle Grove, Iowa, where she spent most of her adult life. She was owner/operator of Stephen’s Cleaners for over 30 years, a member of VFW Post #642, and a member of Eastern Star. She was an active member of the United Church of Christ while in Eagle Grove. She taught Sunday School, Bible School, was on the Diaconate Board, and a member of a circle and the women’s fellowship group. Thelma and Bob spent over 60 years together. They traveled extensively in those years visiting every state in the United States except Alaska. They introduced the family to camping in the early 60’s. They camped in old school buses, homemade campers, trailers, and fifth wheels. Many family memories were made and life lessons were learned on those trips. She retired in 1995 and they moved to Omaha, Neb., in 2002, to be nearer to her children and grandson. Since her retirement, she spent her winters in La Feria, Texas. She loved her family, friends, and God. Although she had Alzheimer’s diseaase, her death on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, came suddenly.

Survivors include her husband, Bob; daughters, Marilyn and Jodi; son-in-law, Gary; and her precious grandson, Jonathan; a brother, Gerald; a sister, Carol; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, brothers, Herbert and Archie. There will be a Memorial Service in Eagle Grove at a later date.

Eagle Grove Eagle, Iowa
24 December 2008