Dean Hammer

Minot

Dean Hammer, 75 of Williston, passed away of natural causes at the farm he loved in rural Bergen, North Dakota on Sunday evening, June 4, 2023.

Dean’s Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Steve Lundblom will Officiate the service. Interment, with military rites will be in Hjerdal Cemetery in Voltaire, North Dakota at 5:00 PM on Saturday afternoon.

A visitation will be held at the Everson Coughlin Funeral Home in Williston on Friday, June 9 from 9:00 AM until 7:00 PM, with a Family Service open to the public at 7:00 PM.

Dean LeRoy Hammer was born October 6, 1947, to Henry Norman and Vivien (Chilson) Hammer at Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota.

Dean’s first country home was at the Cole place. Later his dad was able to purchase the Latimar farmstead close to Bergen, North Dakota. This is where Dean grew up and the family grew to two sisters, Judith in 1950 and Susan in 1955. As a young boy Dean was involved with 4-H and enjoyed being a farm kid.

Dean was baptized on December 30, 1947, at Hjerdal Lutheran Church, rural Voltaire, ND. His sponsors were Al and Ella Bursau his aunt and uncle. Dean was also confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Hjerdal Lutheran Church on June 4, 1961, by Pastor Wilford Hanson. Dean attended all 12 years of his schooling (First through 12th grade) in Bergen, ND. Dean graduated from Bergen High School in May of 1965 in a class of four boys. The school closed that year. He went on to attend trade school in Wahpeton, ND at the State College of Science for auto mechanics. This is where he met his wife (Judith “Judie” Axness). They were married on September 1, 1968, at Bethel-Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Zahl, ND by Rev. Larry Corell.

Dean and Judie lived in Williston, ND where Dean’s first job there was at Lassey Implement. Later he became employed by the State Highway Department. On March 9, 1970, Dean was drafted into the United States Army. His basic training was at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was then stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Judie was able to join him there. In November of 1970 Dean had orders to go to Viet Nam. However, in the meantime they were reducing troops in Viet Nam with Deans’ MOS (Military Army Station), so his orders were changed, and he remained at Fort Lewis, Washington. Judie was able to join him there and their oldest son, Chadley Dean was born there at Madigan General Hospital on March 6, 1971. In August of that year Dean had orders to go to Korea. After serving only four months there he received an early out and was discharged in January of 1972.

Dean then returned to work for the State Highway Department in Williston, ND. Dean and Judie purchased a home in Williston in 1972. Justin Jerome Hammer joined the family on December 5, 1975. He was born at Mercy Hospital in Williston, ND. In 1975 Dean purchased a dump truck and started Hammer Trucking working for various contractors around the Williston Area. However, in 1982 Dean went to work for Century Construction out of Lewistown, Montana doing road resurfacing. Dean was a paver operator for them for 30 years working in many locations in Montana. During this time Dean lived in a camper at each location. The last three years of his employment with Century he was able to be based out of Williston, ND mainly driving truck.

Dean retired in 2014, moved his camper to his home farm West of Bergen and has enjoyed many days and weekends fixing things there, tearing buildings down, trimming trees and putting up a large shed for all his toys and tractors he wanted to restore “right after church on Sunday” as Norman would say. Many family times have been enjoyed there including an annual Christmas in July over the 4th.

Dean was a member of Our Redeemers Lutheran Church here in Williston. He served as a Trustee and an Usher for several years. He was a member of the Williston American Legion Post 37 and was an active member and past board member of the Williston Basin Skating Club.

Dean is survived by his wife, Judie, as well as his two sons, Chadley and Justin (Jamie) of Minot, and two grandchildren, Jory Bright and Martine Hammer. Dean is also survived by his two sisters, Judith Hammer of Bismarck and Susan (Dalles) Schneider of Bismarck. He is also survived by nephews Austin (Shannon) Schneider of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Kael Schneider of Portland, OR and niece, Kari (Casey) Schaff of Flasher, ND and their five children Colton, Carter, Cannon, Chance, Kenzie, three aunts, Mary Ann Hammer, Pennie Hammer and Connie (Albert) Lindahl, brother-in-law, John (Gayle) Axness and their family and sister-in-law, Marcia (David) Liuska.

Dean was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rudolph and Agnes Chilson, Edward and Serine Hammer and Myrtle Hammer, his parents, Henry Norman Hammer and Vivien Hammer and his father and mother-in-law, Gordon and Herma Axness, brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Carol Axness.

Friends are welcome to visit www.eversoncoughlin.com to share memories of Dean or leave condolences for his family. Thompson-Larson Funeral Home in Minot is assisting with Dean’s arrangements

Published by The Minot Daily News, June 8, 2023.