Gerald Hammes 1929-2021
Gerald George Hammes, 91, of Seneca, passed away on May 16, 2021, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, with his family by his side.
Gerald was born on Nov. 11, 1929, to Lawrence and Cora (Cornelia Stallbaumer) Hammes at their home southeast of Baileyville. He was the second oldest of 12 children. Gerald attended school in Baileyville and graduated from eighth grade in 1943. After graduation, he stayed home and worked on the family farm and helped his father with his custom corn shelling business.
Gerald joined the Army National Guard, Battery “A” 154th Field Artillery Battalion, in 1948. He was honorably discharged in 1955 as a Master Sergeant.
On Feb. 27, 1954, he married Cleta Mae Lierz at St. Augustine’s Church in Fidelity. She preceded him in death on Feb. 9, 2005. He spent many of Cleta’s later years caring for her as she suffered with Parkinson’s disease. They lived west of Seneca on their farm since 1968. He was a grain farmer and also raised livestock. Gerald loved farming the land and retired from that in 2000.
After retirement, Gerald’s favorite pastimes were mowing with his “Grasshopper” and joining his friends each morning for coffee at the local McDonald’s. He entered Life Care of Seneca in October 2017.
Gerald was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. He was a choir member for 27 years, a Eucharistic minister for 17 years, on the Parish Council for three years and served at weekday masses. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Besides his wife Cleta, he was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence (1993) and Cora (1975); a brother, Donald (1967); and sisters Dorothy Bergman Schraad (2017) and Cleta Mae Haverkamp (2020).
He is survived by his seven children: LuAnn Roth (Bill) of Paxico, Marlene Wessel (Bob) of Seneca, Joan Glissman (Ron) of Centralia, Ellen Laird (Mark) of Topeka, Bob Hammes (Mary) of Hoyt, Mike Hammes of Topeka and Tricia Hammes of Shawnee; five brothers, Alvin, Galen, Leo and Kenneth all of Seneca, and Larry of Topeka; three sisters, Bernice Heiman of Baileyville, Mary Rose Feuerborn of Richmond, and Jeanette Becker of Seneca; 18 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, six stepgreat-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-great grandchildren.
Rosaries were prayed at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Tuesday, May 18. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated by Fr. Reggie Saldanha and con-celebrated by Fr. Greg Hammes. The pall that was placed on his casket was draped by his family. Servers were Ali Lueger and Kennedy Carlson. The lector was Ashley Carlson. The gift bearers were his granddaughters, Pam Roth, Lisa Roth, Jennifer Rottinghaus, Jamie Wessel, Vickie Noland, Angie Lueger, Ashley Carlson, Brooke Burdiek, Emily Chavers, Morgan Geffre and Lindsey Williams. The Communion distributor was Jamie Wessel. Music was provided by Church Choir.
Pallbearers were his grandsons and great-grandsons, Scott Roth, Adam Roth, Steven West, Brad Wessel, Jeff Laird, John Laird, Connor Hammes, Cody Rottinghaus and Ryan Lueger.
Full military honors were provided by Seneca Memorial Post 7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Earl W. Taylor Post 21. A flag line was provided by American Legion Riders Post 21.
Memorials may be left in his memory to Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville, sent in care of the family.
(PAID OBITUARY)
