"To Phyllis and the entire Hammes family, I am sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of Bernard, from him working on our balers to combining corn and beans. I find some comfort in knowing that he and Donny are back together and enjoying each other's company, just as they always did. "
In loving memory of
Bernard W. Hammes
March 31, 1926 - September 23, 2020
SIGOURNEY-Bernard W. Hammes, age 94, of Sigourney, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at his home.
Bernard was born March 31, 1926, near Harper, to Zeno and Edna (Horras) Hammes and received his education in country school and Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School. Bernard served in the U.S. Army from 1950 until 1952, during the Korean Conflict. On January 15, 1953, he married Phyllis Bombei at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Bernard lived and farmed in Keokuk County all his life. He also was a dealer of Vermeer large balers for over 30 years. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Sigourney, former member of the Knights of Columbus, and enjoyed sports, especially the Hawkeyes and Dodgers, farming and raising livestock, especially cattle.
Survivors include his wife: Phyllis of Sigourney; 12 children: Gerald (Peg) Hammes, Tony (Sherry) Hammes, Rhonda (Larry) Wehr, Marlene Tuggle, Wayne (Sharon) Hammes, Dennis (Lori) Hammes, Sarah (Gary) Gimbel, Mary Ann (Hassan) Samman, Kevin (Toni) Hammes, Kyle (Luanne) Hammes, Annette Hammes and Lyle (Phebe) Hammes; 28 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and sister: Mary Hahn. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Donald Hammes; two sisters: Marjorie Striegel and Isabelle Baker; son-in-law: Bill Tuggle and a daughter in infancy.
Private family funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sigourney, with Rev. Robert Lathrop officiating. For friends and others who wish to attend, it will be livestreamed on the Powell Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in rural Harper. Public visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020, at the church. Mask usage and social distancing are required inside the church.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Washington County Hospice or the Clear Creek Heritage Association. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Bernard and his family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Tributes
"Thoughts and prayers to the entire family on the passing of Bernard. "
"To Phyllis and the entire Hammes family, our sympathy to you for the loss of Bernard. Our prayers are with you. Rose and Leon Leinen"
"Phyllis.....just saw on FB about Bernard's passing. Sorry for your loss. Linda Binns"
"We send our love and condolence to Phyllis and all the Hammes family. We have always cherished their friendship. Bernard will be missed along with all his knowledge of the Hawks. We always enjoyed talking to him about the sports. We have had close friendship with Lyle, Kevin and Kyle in the past. Love and prayers for all of you. "
"Praying for peace beyond all understanding for your loss and the Hammes family. God bless you all and you will be in my continued thoughts and prayers - Clarke Hammes"
"Bernard was a good man, and always warm and kind to our family. Phyllis and the family will be in our prayers."
"my heart was heavy as I read one of my best friends email about the passing of her father. I many times have expressed to her my gratitude for having the memories of being in that big old white farmhouse that stood outside of Harper that the Bernard Hammes family called home. so so much love within those walls. respectful, kind, selfless, hard working, just a few of the many wonderful qualities of not one of them but all of them. At times MaryAnn showed me the ability to believe in myself when I couldn?t. I remember once when we sat at the kitchen table with her dad talking and laughing about some nonsense I?m sure. He sat in silence with us but every once in awhile I would look over at him and he would smile behind his paper. blessed I am to have had that smiling conversation with him. I?m thinking of all of you and sending a big tight hug to Mrs Hammes from New Jersey. I will come visit with you next time I?m home to talk about all the times shared with your beautiful family. xo Tami Bunting. and I know my brother Ryan feels the same about Dennis. A Bunting and A Hammes how lucky we were. "
"Our thoughts & prayers are with you all. Jim & Liz Hammes"