Norman Hammer • 1919-2005

Norman Hammer, 85, died Tuesday, May 31, 2005, at the Souris Valley Care Center.

Henry Norman Hammer was born Dec. 22, 1919, the son of Edward and Serine (Heitlo) in North Prairie Township, McHenry County. He attended school at Mimer School No.2 through the eighth grade, and then he farmed with his father.

Norman worked as a surveyor for Verendrye Electric Co-op, Inc., and for Souris River Telephone, bringing utilities to the Velva area. He entered the U. S. Army on Dec. 27, 1941, at Fort Snelling, MN. He served in Normandy, northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes and central Europe. He was awarded the good conduct and European-African-Middle Eastern Theater service medals and two overseas service bars before his honorable discharge as a staff sergeant on Sept. 17, 1945, at Camp McCoy, WI.

On Nov. 6, 1946, Norman married Vivien Chilson at Velva. They made their home in the Voltaire/Bergen area, where they farmed and ranched. He served on the Bergen School Board and Voltaire Township Board. Norman also worked for the Souris Valley Beef Center and the Minot Livestock Auction. Vivien died Nov. 2, 1992.

Norman was a lifelong resident of McHenry County. He was a member of the Hjerdal Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, Velva American Legion Post No. 39, Karlsruhe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 931, Cootie Post No. 9316, Trench Rats No. 456, Disabled Veterans of America, International War Veterans Alliance, 40 & 8 No. 148, ND Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, and a past commander of the VFW, the American Legion and the DAV.

He was extremely proud of his Norwegian heritage, and traveled to Norway twice to visit family. Every year Norman looked forward to greeting fellow Norsk Hostfest-goers at the door. It was Norman's idea to salvage the inscribed granite slabs from the Central Power Plant near Voltaire that resulted in the creation of a Point of State Historical Interest along Highway 52 at Velva.

Those Who Shared In His Life: Daughters, Judith Hammer and Susan (Dalles) Hammer Schneider, both Bismarck; son, Dean (Judie) Hammer, Williston, ND; five grandchildren Chad Hammer, Justin (Jamie) Hammer, Austin Schneider, Kael Schneider and Kari Schneider; one great-granddaughter, Martine Hammer, and one great-grandson, Jory Bright; brothers, Larry Hammer, Hutchison, MN, Gordon Hammer, Ellensburg, WA; sisters, Helga Haga, Bergen, ND, Ella Bursau, Velva, Connie Lindahl, Sawyer, ND; stepmother: Myrtle Hammer, Velva.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and a sister Olga.

Visitation: Thursday, June 2, 2005, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Velva, with a prayer service at 7 at the funeral home.

Funeral Service: Friday, June 3, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND.

Burial: Hjerdal Lutheran Cemetery, Voltaire, ND

Officiant: Rev. Rollin Rogness

Eulogist: Dale Chilson

Music: Congregational Hymns: Processional Hymn, "How Great Thou Art"
"I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry"
Ione Loken, vocalist
"Beyond The Sunset"
"La Oss Leve" ~ solo and congregational
Recessional instrumental music
Donna Holte, organist

Honorary Bearers: Alan Iverson, Hilton Sollid, W.O. Bill Krumweide, Dale Chilson, Ardell Holte
and members of the Velva American Legion Post #39 and Karlsruhe VFW Post #931

Active Bearers: Chad Hammer, Justin Hammer, Austin Schneider, Kael Schneider, Kari Schneider
Kim Haga, Greg Haga, Bobby Haga

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