Norman F. Hammer, 85, of Flandreau, SD, passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau, the family will be present for visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 PM at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, SD.
Norman was born August 26, 1939 in Flandreau, SD to Albert and Esther (Johnson) Hammer. He was raised on a farm near Flandreau, went to Juve Country School and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1959. After graduation he attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN where he met the love of his life, Marion. They were married October 15th, 1960, at New Folden, MN. They had four children (Brad, Lynette, Brian and Kristine) from this union. They moved back to Flandreau until Norman was stationed in Fort Sill, OK in 1961-62, He was very proud of his military service. After Norman was discharged, they moved to Minneapolis, Holstein IA, and Parker, SD. In 1977 they returned to the Flandreau area where Norman worked for area farmers, Ollie Amdahl, David and Connie Hove. Norman was also the Ward Rest Area caretaker for 30 years. They moved into town in 2010 where he resided until April when he was moved to the Edgewood Assisted Living. During his “retirement” he worked for Jon and Nick LeBrun and mowed many lawns for his friends and family.
Norman’s passion was being with friends and family, mowing lawns, and driving around Moody County “watching” the area farmers plant, harvest and chop silage. Many days you could find him and his friend Dwight driving down any country road in Moody County during any season. They sometimes traveled roads that were not maintained or plowed and got stuck more than a few times. They also were known to move vehicles from field to field for the farmers as the fields were being worked. Norman also enjoyed his 40 years of riding motorcycle or his trike, going to Sturgis with friends and family, (even going on Brian and Tammie’s honeymoon), riding with the CMA club out of Madison, SD, and at the age of 82, Norman and his friend Dwight took a 1700-mile trip in 15 days. Norman had a weekday routine of breakfast with friends in Pipestone and lunch at Blue Jays with more friends. He also really enjoyed watching the Flandreau boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, especially all the LeBrun kids and Addy (Abby- to him) Hammer.
Norman is survived by his son, Brian (Tammie); grandchildren, Danielle, Dana, Thea, Bradley Jr. (Ramzie), and Megan; 16 great grandchildren, Jaylyn, Masyn, Drevyn, Torrah, Everlee, Danny, Kovan, Gage, Anissa, Bradley III, Bentley, Jax, Lettie, Jakobi, Drayden, Ezlyn; three sisters, Lois Lamb (the late Les Lamb), Sioux Falls, JoAnn (Bruce) Clark, Flandreau and Diane (Darrel) Bahn, Austin, MN; numerous nieces and nephews and special friends, Dwight Stapher and Norma Caldwell.
He is preceded in death by his wife Marion, three children, Lynette, Brad and Kristine, son-in-law, Dale, grandson, Justin, and great grandson, Nash, his parents, and brother Donald.
