Ruth Hammar

Ruth HammarAge 97, passed away December 28, 2020.  She was born May 21, 1923, with an identical twin sister, in Sharon Township, Iowa.  Ruth grew up during the Great Depression.  No one had money; the banks were broke; no jobs, hard times.  Everyone was poor and had to “make do” or go without.  Ruth walked a mile and a half to school, graduating in 1942.  By then, WWII was raging.  Ruth moved to Michigan to work in a defense plant for the duration of the war.  She sewed pup tents for the soldiers and later built landing barges for the Marines.  She also donated blood.

After the war, Ruth met her husband, Laurence, and they raised four children and always had a family dog.  In 1954, they located in Holt and attended Holt Baptist Church, where she was active as a Sunday School Teacher, Deaconess, worked on the kitchen committee, Junior Church and worked as church clerk and folded the church bulletins.  Ruth loved the church.

When the children were grown, she worked at Wilcox Elementary School in Holt for 22 years.  After retiring from the school, Ruth finally stayed home and tried to relax; however, she always found something to do.  She liked to sew, made cloth dolls for children in Africa, worked puzzles, read books and enjoyed the companionship of her faithful little dogs.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence; brother, Charles Jacob; and sister, Dorothy Engleman.  Surviving are:  her children, Tom (Bethany) Hammar, Margie Ball, Judy Williams and Betty Hammar; 2 grandchildren, Leina (Marc) Thomas and Lance Williams; 2 great-grandchildren, Marlei and Shane Thomas; twin sister, Ruby Samuelson, sister, Susan Nordstrom, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020, at Holt Baptist Church, 2020 Dean Ave.  Interment will follow in Maple Ridge Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holt Baptist Church in memory of Ruth Hammar.

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18 Messages to “Ruth Hammar

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Mike and Deb Logan
December 29, 2020 at 3:19 pm

Very sorry to hear of the loss of “Aunt Ruth”, but we wish to celebrate her long and
meaningful life. A very special lady.

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Peggy Brower Watson
December 29, 2020 at 4:40 pm

So sorry to hear about Ruth. I worked with her at Wilcox School back in the mid 80’s. She was a wonderful person. My condolences to Judy and family.

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Brooke Sanders
December 29, 2020 at 8:28 pm

I knew Ms. Ruth as a child, but still remember her fondly. She had us over to her home multiple times. She had the greatest collection of beanie babies on her stairwell! She let my sister and me play with them for hours! One time she gave us each one! I felt so special. She was also our room mate at church camp one summer. When we moved, I loved reading her Christmas card every year. As an adult, I would love to have had more conversations with her. What a woman of God. Faithful. Loving. Beautiful. She is with Jesus now!

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Earlynn Pierpoint
December 30, 2020 at 9:27 am

Ruth was an amazing woman. I was truly blessed to have had her on my life. We kept in touch through the years. Always loved recieving her Christmas letter. She will be greatly missed. I truly loved her.

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Helen Youdes
December 30, 2020 at 11:29 am

Ruth was a special lady, she greeted everyone with a smile as well as a fond greeting. Her little dog was special. I’m a friend through one if Ruth’s neighbors. I visited her a few times, she loned me a book that her neighbor had written. I enjoyed reading it. I’m sure all of you have very fond memories. Helen Youdes

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Barb York
December 30, 2020 at 3:08 pm

Margie, Betty and Family, so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. She deeply loved her family and loved hearing about all the wonderful daughter/mother “girl” trips you spent with her, how special. Thoughts and prayers to all of you during this difficult time.

Barb York

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Jennifer (Jacobs) Frederick
December 30, 2020 at 5:59 pm

Thinking of the family in this sad time. Please know that you’re in our thoughts and we hope you can find peace and take comfort in the long life she lived.

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Tammy hedlund facion
December 30, 2020 at 7:01 pm

What an amazing woman .she will be missed by everyone who knew her. We will be praying for her entire family

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Julie and Charlie Hicks
December 30, 2020 at 9:55 pm

Ruth was a very special lady and wonderful neighbor. We will miss her.

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Deborah Jackson (Thompson)
December 30, 2020 at 11:23 pm

Tom, Margie, Betty, and Judy-

Your mom was such a wonderful person and I will remember her with so much love and affection. She will be missed by so many, but just imagine the homecoming she received in Heaven!

Much love to you all!

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Rosalie Parmelee
December 31, 2020 at 7:06 am

Ruth and Larry were always special to out family. Ruth was an example of the love of Christ. You kids have taken such good care of her.Rosalie

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Linda Hartman
January 1, 2021 at 1:12 pm

Tom, Margie, Judy, and Betty,
So sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing.
God bless her and all of you.

Linda Remington Hartman

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Shelly Hawes
January 4, 2021 at 9:07 am

So sorry for your loss Betty! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!

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Christy Wolf
January 4, 2021 at 1:25 pm

Betty, So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

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Keith Francis
January 5, 2021 at 10:13 pm

Ruth was my cousin, whose mom was sister to my mom, Iona (Cooper) Francis. She always sent us Christmas cards, and stayed in toutch, maintaining the family connection. After reading her obit, I wish I had gotten to know her and Ruby, better. Condolences to her family.

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Jimmy and Missy Brooks
January 10, 2021 at 9:05 am

Ruth was such a wonderful lady. She was so good to our family and we all loved her dearly. So very sorry for your loss. She will be greatly missed!

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Jacqueline Manne
January 19, 2021 at 4:36 pm

So sorry to hear of Ruth’s death. I knew Ruth from Wilcox Elementary. She was such a wonderful person. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jacqueline Manne

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Ann (Volz) Parker
February 3, 2021 at 8:50 pm

Tom, Margie, Judy, Betty & precious Ruby. So sorry to learn of Ruth’s passing just today. I love her & all of your family so much. A lady stopped by my house on her walk today & that’s when I learned of Ruth’s passing. She was a Cooley, her husband is Jim. God definitely sent her to meet me today. Ruth passed 6 days after my Mom (Eloise Volz) did, on 12/22/2020 & they knew each other for many years. Both reunited with their sweethearts. God bless you in your grief. Ruth was such a special lady & so much fun & such an amazing, Godly woman.

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