Elaine W. Hammer

Our mother was born December 13, 1921, west of Anthon, Iowa near the west fork. Her parents were Frank and Ida (Gothier) Stickney. Her dad called her "Sal" and her Mom called her "Annie". She insisted on going to country school at the age of 4, as long as her big brother was with her. That began her interest in teaching.

She graduated from Smithland high school in 1938 at the age of 16. Due to her young age, her parents had her stay at home before going on to college. She would say it was "God’s gift" to her to spend that time with her beloved mother. They worked and played the time away. In 1940 she enrolled at Wayne State Teachers College where she would say it was the "best time ever" as she made many lifelong friendships. She received her teaching certificate and taught in one room country schools near Cherokee and Deloit. One of her fondest memories is teaching at Town School for Boys in San Francisco, California, during WWII. Her next adventure took her to Denver, Colorado where she studied comptometer at the business college there. She returned to Sioux City where she was employed with Wagner, Garrison, and Abbott at the Sioux City Stockyards.

At the Woodbury County Fair, when Mom was just 12 years old, her older brother Norman, introduced her to a handsome friend of his whom "in time" would become her lifelong devoted husband. It took 17 years for their paths to cross again, and on February 18, 1950 she married Earl Thomas Hammer at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City. Their first home was on a farm near Cushing, IA, where they began to raise their four children. Mom was very proud to be a homemaker. In 1960 the family moved to a farm northwest of Holstein and stayed in this area until they retired.

Mom enjoyed being involved in many areas including United Methodist Church, Women’s Circle, the order of Eastern Star, Ida county 4-H committees, Monday Club and Homemaker Club. Dad and Mom couldn't pass up any opportunity to go dancing, whether it was square dancing or ballroom dancing. They would travel as far as 50 miles for the chance to dance. Mom was well known for baking bread. Just as the kids got off the school bus, she'd be pulling out her wonderful bread. She raised the most beautiful flower and vegetable gardens and canned most of her produce. Her other passions included her needlework, entertaining, traveling, music and reading the book of Psalms. She loved to write, as she completed 50 years of diaries as proof.

In their golden years, Dad and Mom traveled to every state in the nation, except Alaska. They made many a trip to Montana and Texas to visit their grandchildren.

They also enjoyed going to Navy reunions across the country to be with their very dear friends. Mom was Dads best co-pilot on each trip. Together they enjoyed each adventure. It was easy for Mom to meet a stranger that would soon become her friend. She was a joy to everyone who met her. Mom was a woman filled with love for God, her family and friends. She had vitality for life that was contagious. She was extraordinary! Mom loved and adored each and every one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never stopped "teaching", even up to her last breath.

Mom, we will miss your beautiful smile, your laughter, your wittiness, your feisty spirit, your purses, your classy red hats and your love for Iowa. We know you are dancing in heaven with the love of your life. Mom, you will remain in our hearts forever.

Elaine was preceded in death by her loving husband Earl; her parents, Frank and Ida Stickney; brother, Norman; and son-in-law, Dallas Gronley.

Elaine is survived by her daughter, Dianne Gronley and her sons, Nate and wife Jen, and Adam; son, Daryl and wife Maggie; son, Randall and wife Amy, with their daughters, Katie and husband Chad, and Mollie; daughter, Lynne and husband, Jamie Gronley and their children, Jacob and wife Becky, Emily and husband Jason and Jeff and wife Mary; as well as 13 great grandchildren, Zoe, Justin, Chad, Chase, Aidan, Gracie, Bailey, Addison, Triston, Benjamin, Jackson, Chloe, and Colton; her "baby" brother, Leo and wife Phyllis, of Smithland; brothers- in- law, Donald, Alvin and Dean, sisters-in- law, Lois Stickney of Wichita, Kansas, Wilma, Phyllis and Karen plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the "caring hands" from Buffalo Hill Terrace and Bratsberg wing at the Immanuel Lutheran Home. Mom was particularly grateful for her true friend and sister- in- law Karen Hammer, for sending a weekly letter and a picture over the past seven years. Mom was tremendously blessed by so many.