Andy Aaron Hammer (Anders)

Andy (Anders) Aaron Hammer passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter, Jane, and his son-in-law, Phillip Hall, in Potomac on June 26, 2015. Andy was born on a farm near Valier on Sept. 22, 1918, to Anders "A.O." Hammer and Anna Hammer (nee Hofland). He was active in the Boy Scouts, school sports and was a member of Valier Methodist Church.

Andy graduated from Valier High School in 1936 and attended Northern Montana College in Havre, where he played basketball. He enlisted in the Army and served as a medic in the 41st Infantry Division in the South Pacific for the duration of World War II. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he met his future wife, Elizabeth "Beth" Oneal, at a Methodist Wesley House function.

Andy moved back to Valier and worked with his brother Ernest as Hammer Plumbing and Heating. Andy and Beth were married Oct. 20, 1951, and raised their four children, Mark, Jane, Glen and Roger, in Valier. He was an active member of the American Legion, the Volunteer Fire Department, several other community clubs and served one term as mayor. He was part of the Valier Rifle Club team that won the state championship several times, and won many individual awards including a national championship one year. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved family camping, hunting and fishing. He was immensely proud that his three sons and four grandsons became Eagle Scouts.

In 1982 Andy and Beth moved to a house on the Swan River, which Andy built with the help of family members. They lived there for 15 years before moving to Missoula.

Andy was preceded in death by his wife, Beth Hammer. He is survived by his son, Mark (Erica) of Loveland, Colorado; his daughter, Jane (Phillip) Hall of Potomac; his son, Glen (Bobbi-Rae Foley) of Kissimmee, Florida; his son, Roger (Michele Beck) of Corvallis, Oregon; along with seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He lived a very long and happy life. He always felt fortunate and blessed by God. He is now at peace with the Lord and his family takes solace in Isaiah 57:2, "Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."

Memorial contributions may be made to the Missoula Senior Citizen Center.

A memorial service honoring his life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, July 20, in Valier.
Read Andy Hammer's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.