George was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer this past May. After several rounds of testing and a surgery to remove the cancer, we thought he was on his way back to good health. Complications, infections and in the end the discovery of more cancer in his lungs and spine prevented him from ever getting there. Sunday morning, just shy of 6am and surrounded by his wife and children, George Hammes Jr. decided it was time to "check out" (his words).
His obituary was in the LaCrosse Tribune this morning - it still seems surreal to me.
George Hammes Jr, 63, passed away Sunday, November 7, 2010 at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. He was born in La Crosse on November 17, 1946 to George Sr. (Anna Mae Teeling) Hammes.
George attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School in La Crosse before moving to Platteville, WI in 1955. He attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated in 1965 from Platteville High School. George attended the Madison School of Barbering graduating in 1966. Shortly after, he joined the U.S. Navy serving from September 1, 1966 through 1970 on board the USS O'Hare DD889 and the USS Rich DD830. His military journey took him to every time zone but not around the world.
Following his military service George moved to Rice Lake to Barber at Denny's Barber Shop. On January 1973 he moved back to Platteville and worked at Dick's Super Market. On April 1973 he moved to Lake Geneva and worked at Merlin's Barber Shop. He married Bonnie Barth on September 22, 1973 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dickeyville, WI. On June 6, 1974 he started George's Barber Shop in Holmen Square.
George was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. He was a 4th Degree Knight with Father John Rossiter Council #9385 of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the American Legion Post #284 and the Trempeauleau VFW #1915.
George's political career started in 1982. He was elected to the La Crosse County Board where he served four 2 year terms with two as chairman. After taking a eight year break he returned in 1998 for another five 2 year terms. In 2001 George became the Holland Town Chairman and won re-election 4 times resigning on November 1, 2010 due to his health.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie, his children; Jill (Brian) Jarzemski of Holmen, Jeffrey (Won Ok) Hammes of Holmen and John (Samantha) Hammes of Melrose, his parents, eight brothers and sisters; Robert Hammes of New Lisbon, James (Pamela) Hammes of Waukesha, Jean Hammes of Holmen, Mary (Kevin) Butson of Platteville, Joseph (Karen) Hammes of Waukesha, Mark (Beth) Hammes of Platteville David (Robin ) Hammes of Beloit and Kay (David) Hirsch of Waukesha. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Kelsie, Karmyn and Kyle Jarzemski, Gabriel, Jacob, Noah, Spencer, Wyatt and John Dale Hammes, Sisters-in-law; Carol (Daniel) Ellerbach of Bellevue, IA, Paula (Ronald) Digman of Dickeyville, Anita (Kenneth) Kohout of Monfort, Gerri Barth, Gail Barth and Mary Jane (Derek) Dachelet all of Belmont, Brenda (Kris) Enright of Stockton, IL, Karla (Robert) Stoney of Belmont and Anna Barth of East Dubuque, IL, brothers-in-law; Steven (Susan) Barth of Livingston and Gene Barth of Belmont.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Joan (Larry) Trine and by his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 515 Main Street N Holmen at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Robert Schaller will officiate and burial with military honors will be in the Green Mound Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 515 McHugh Road Holmen, on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. and again at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. In lieu of flowers memorial may be given to the Holmen Knights of Columbus. Information and on-line condolences may be given to the family at http://www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com/.
May He hold you in the palm of His hand, George. We love you and will miss you always!!
Hammes brothers, minus Mark
(L to R Back Row: Jim, George Jr., Bob
L to R Front Row: Joe, Dave)
Since Mark is not in the picture above, here is a stand-in picture of him:)
George and his wife Bonnie - at my cousin Tim's wedding, March 2007
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