Omer J. Hammes

Omer J. Hammes
February 04, 1918 - February 10, 2007
Sigourney, Iowa
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. February 12, 2007 at Powell Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. February 13, 2007 at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
Interment: February 13, 2007 at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Elizabeth Cemetery
HARPER-Omer J. Hammes, age 89, of Sigourney, formerly of Harper, died Saturday, February 10, 2007, at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney, following a brief illness. Omer was born February 4, 1918, in rural Sigourney, to Peter and Theresa(Gries) Hammes and attended Ss. Peter and Paul School. He served in the United States Army during World War II. On May 5, 1947, he married Burnita Besser at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Harper. The couple lived in the Harper community where Omer co-owned the Hammes Brothers Hardware Store with his brother, Herb. Omer was a member of Holy Trinity-St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Lodge in Fairfield and the Keota V.F.W. Post #4716. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, golfing, visiting and his grandchildren's sporting activities. Survivors include his wife: Burnita of Sigourney; two children: Annette Stemmler and husband John of Perrysburg, Ohio and Tim Hammes and wife Rita of Iowa City; four grandchildren: Tanya and Zach Hammes and Matt and Elizabeth Stemmler; two brothers: Herb Hammes and wife Maxine of Sigourney and Wilfred Hammes and wife Joyce of Bettendorf and two sisters-in-law: Jeanette Hammes of Sigourney and Mary Hammes of Kalona. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Raymond and Floyd Hammes and two sisters: Bernice Heuberger and Irene Willis. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, at Holy Trinity Parish-St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Harper with Rev. Marty Goetz officiating. Burial will be at St. Elizabeth Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2007, at the Powell Funeral Home in Keota, where there will be a prayer service at 6:00 p.m., followed by a K.C. Rosary. A memorial fund has been established for the National Kidney Foundation or Hospice of Keokuk County. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is handling the arrangements.