Alvin A. Hammer

Alvin A. Hammer, age 94, of Holstein, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at the Cherokee Specialty Care of Cherokee. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Cherokee with the Pastor Jonathan Riggert officiating. A visitation will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein. Burial will be at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein.

Alvin Arthur Hammer, son of Dora (Gehrts) and Bernhard Hammer was born on December 6, 1930, in Woodbury County, near Cushing, Iowa. He was baptized December 16, 1930 and confirmed his faith on March 25, 1945, at St. John Lutheran Church, Cushing, Iowa.

Alvin received his education at rural schools in Woodbury and Ida County, graduating from Holstein High School in 1949. He lived for sports while in high school, especially football and track.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1950 during the Korean Conflict. Alvin felt it was an honor to serve his country. During the Navy years, he served proudly as a boilerman on the USS McGinty and the USS Cockrill, both destroyer escorts. The duties of the destroyers included patrolling the Korean waters, detecting mines, and bombardment near the Korean coastline. He was discharged in September 1954. Alvin was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 6172.

On April 12, 1951, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Bergmann, his high school sweetheart, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Holstein, Iowa. To this union two daughters, Lois and Lori, were born. Alvin and Phyllis were blessed to have been able to celebrate 68 anniversaries together.

After his honorable discharge, the couple farmed in the Holstein area and later moved to the Cherokee area. He was a hail and liability adjuster for State Farm Insurance for 20 years. Many hours were spent building the couple’s homes and other buildings. He enjoyed landscaping their acreage and working with flowerbeds and fishponds. In 1994, he and his wife opened a bed and breakfast and Prairie Stables. His passion for the breeding, foaling, training and riding of the horses he raised gave him much pleasure. His horses have found homes in seven states.

There was not one activity of his grandchildren that was missed. As they grew older, their phone calls were so appreciated.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Phyllis; two daughters, Lois Conover of Navarre, FL and Lori (Frank) Forneris of Holstein; 7 grandchildren, Jennifer Dieguez of Omaha, Nebraska, Tim Roepke of Miami Beach, FL, Kevin (Lilia) Roepke of Dubai, Katie (Ronnie) Merrill of Tampa, Florida, Wendy (Brad) Weber of Mankato, Minnesota, Andrew (Melissa) Butcher of Holstein and Ben (Brianna) Butcher of Holstein; two step-grandchildren, Nick Forneris of Denver, Colorado and Katie (Taylor Wilson) Forneris of Salt Lake City, Utah; and 14 great-grandchildren, Kamryn, Zaria, Bianca, Colin, Drew, Reese, Ethan, Luke, Garrett, Kelby, Charlie, Annie, Beau and Becky. He is also survived by brother, Dean (Karen) Hammer of Ida Grove; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Friedrichsen of Holstein and Ruth (Gary) Dorman of Omaha, Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; his parents; sister and brother-in-law Vesta and Frank Fey; brother and sister-in-law, Earle and Elaine Hammer; and two sisters-in-law, Marlene Bergmann and Betty (Don) Voss ; brother and sister-in-law, Don and Wilma Hammer; brother-in-law, Dick Friedrichsen.

“With a hammer in my hands, blueprints in my head, a skid loader to run, a horse to ride, and the Lord in my heart, life is good.”