Laverne Hammen

Laverne Hammen, 90, died Thursday, August 4, at The House of the Dove in Marshfield, WI.

Laverne Erickson Hammen was born March 10, 1932, to Clarence and Dina (Erickson) Hammen. He grew up on the family farm in Cambridge, WI, and graduated from Stoughton, WI, High School in 1950. He was drafted in 1951 into the Marines, where he served as a radio operator from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. When he returned from the service, he worked at Gisholt Machine Co. as an inspector. He was united in marriage with Sandra (Moen) on July 6, 1957. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

In 1971, Laverne and Sandra moved from Cambridge to Neillsville. In 1973, they bought their beloved farm where they lived until March 2022. Laverne worked in Neillsville as an inspector at Nelson Filter, which later became Cummins. He has been retired for 27 happy years. He and Sandra moved to the Aster Assisted Living Facility in Marshfield on March 1 after Laverne had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in late January.

Laverne was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church, and he enjoyed participating in many activities there, as well as spending time on his farm and with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; his son, John Hammen and his wife Pam of Mt Horeb, WI; daughter Cynthia Topel and her husband Bill of Warrenville, IL; six grandchildren, Joshua Waggoner and wife Krissy of Minong, WI, Mikayla Hammen and Forrest Hammen of Madison, WI, Alexis Topel of New Orleans, LA, Carter Cooley and Cameron Cooley of Warrenville, IL; four great-grandchildren, Zoey, Bella, Scarlet and Joshua John (JJ), children of Josh and Krissy Waggoner of Minong, WI, and a brother, Francis Hammen and wife Ingrid of Port St. Lucie, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Dina, and three siblings: Alvin, Ilene and Clifford.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at Calvary Lutheran Church, officiated by Pastor Chad Anderson. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service. A livestream of Laverne’s memorial service can be viewed at www.geschefh.com beginning at 11 a.m. on August 12.

Laverne’s family would like to thank the staff at the Marshfield Hospital, the Three Oaks Nursing Facility and especially the staff at The House of the Dove Hospice Center for their excellent support and care of Dad during his last few days.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in Laverne’s name to The House of the Dove Hospice Center in Marshfield or to the American Leukemia Association.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Laverne’s family with services and arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.geschefh.com.