Denise Michelle (Peterson) Hammer, 64, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, started her journey to the spirit world on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Born on August 2, 1960 in Cleveland, OH to Julia (Judy) Allen and Michael (Mike) Peterson. She lived a life of positivity, patience and had a love for life and others.
As a child, Denise attended schools in Aberdeen, SD. It was in high school that she discovered the violin. She became very good and went on to play the violin for several years. She began working as an Enrollment Specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Aberdeen, SD, after finishing school in 1978. While living in Aberdeen, Denise had a son named Brandon Peterson Hailstorm, who now resides in Flandreau, SD. Later she moved to Flandreau, SD and started working for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Health Clinic as a medical records transcriptionist/clerk. She worked there many years.
While living in Flandreau, Denise met and married Tim Cadotte, Sr. and they had five children: Tim “Buster” Cadotte, Jr., Aimee L. Cadotte, Steven Cadotte, Sr., Justin Cadotte, and Kimee Cadotte, all of Flandreau. She was blessed with four grandchildren: Steven Cadotte, Jr., (Steven Sr.), Rayanna Kaye Fox (Buster), Malechi Blue Bird, Ariel Figeroa, Isaiah Figueroa (Kimee).
Denise and Tim later divorced. She then met Troy Hammer and were happily married for many years. They enjoyed spending time together, traveling to pow-wows and spending time with family and friends. Denise loved reading, playing games with grandkids, and just enjoying family time. Her favorite game was candy crush; which she spent hours playing.
Denise is survived by siblings, Dennis “Mickey” Peterson, Corey Peterson, both of Flandreau; her mother, Julia (Judy) Allen; and all of her children; grandchildren; cousins and family.
Denise is preceded in death by sister, Baby Girl Peterson; brother, Geoffrey Peterson; three nephews: Brenden Peterson Hahn, Joe Peterson, Michael Peterson; aunt, Darlene (Bernard); father, Dennis Mike Peterson; uncles: Richard (Chuck), Tom Allen, Sr., Pete Allen, Robert Bobby Allen, Clifford Allen, Howard Allen, Steve Nelson, Sr., James Weddell, Maynard Herrick; grandparents, Laverne and Ray Allen; cousins: M. Gina Williams, Samantha Williams, Valerie Allen Oas, Sam Allen, Jr., Charlie Allen, Marshall Allen, and David Herrick.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Eastman Hall.
Skroch Funeral Chapel
