JEAN J. HAMMOND

Jean J. Hammond a longtime resident of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday evening, December 5, 2013 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake with her loving family at her side. She was 86. She went home to her Lord and will spend Christmas and her 67th wedding anniversary with her beloved husband, Walt. Mass of the Resurrection for Jean will be held on Monday, December 9, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.n. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 5:00 p.m. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas will lead the Rosary. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Jean will be her grandsons and bringing forth the Eucharistic Gifts and symbols of love will be her granddaughters. The Lectors will be Carol Kuntz and Jeanne Hammond. Special music will be provided by Patty and Jeff Cote, Marla Luehring and Taylor Ternes. Jean Joyce, daughter of Ralph and Rose (Gardner) Morris was born on July 27, 1927 at Clyde, ND. She grew up there and attended Clyde Public School, graduating as the Valedictorian of her class in 1945. While in high school, Jean was a member of a winning Clyde Orioles girl’s basketball team and was also involved in the music program. Jean taught a summer school at rural Harvey Center, northeast of Langdon between graduation and her wedding date to James W. Hammond. Jean was united in marriage to James Walter Hammond at the Camp Chapel at Camp Carson, Colorado on Christmas Day, December 25, 1946. They made Colorado their home until Walt was discharged from the Army in August of 1947. They returned to Clyde and then in 1955 moved to Devils Lake where they lived, worked and made their home through the years. After they moved to Devils Lake, and as the children became interested in school and other activities, Jean became active as a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout leader, as the children went through the ranks. After Patty, the youngest daughter was born, Jean began employment as an OB Technician at Mercy Hospital, thus raising a family by day and working by night. She had a busy schedule. Jean was the first caregiver to many, many newborns and many of them were her own grandchildren and great grandchildren. She retired in 1990 after about 30 years of providing that very special loving care to the new babies and mothers. After retirement Jean became an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Altar Society, Infant of Prague Circle, Christian Mothers, St. Joseph Choir and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She had served in several offices, including president of her circle and the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and holds 5, 10, 15 and 20 yr. pins, participating at several conventions for the Hospital Auxiliary, traveling to several cities throughout the State. As the children were growing up she was she was the first to volunteer to take a car load here and there. She was a faithful wife and helper to Walt in the many activities he was involved in and attended and participated in the many Knights of Columbus events. She also enjoyed many years of swimming and was involved in the local bowling leagues. Jean was a talented seamstress and enjoyed a variety of arts and crafts, knitting and crocheting. Jean never tired of being a nurturing, encouraging and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and Great great grandmother. She was always so proud of them and their accomplishments and they each knew of her unconditional love, support and prayers for them. Merry Christmas, Happy Anniversary and God’s perpetual light shine upon Mom and Dad. We love and miss you.. Jean is survived by her children Carol Kuntz, Michael (Carolyn) Hammond, Diane Hill, Penny (Dwight) Keck, Bradley Hammond (Jan Solway), Roger (Jeanne) Hammond and Patty (Jeff) Cote all of Devils Lake; twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-nine great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; brother Dennis (Eileen) Morris of Linton, ND; sister Sandra (Jim) Melville of Alamo, TX; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Charles Roy Hammond of St. Cloud, MN, Esther E. Downs of Black Hawk, SD; many nieces, nephews and their families. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband Walt on September 24, 2013; one child; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brother Jim Morris; brothers-in-law Vernon Downs and Robert Hammond and sisters-in-law Algie Morris, and Violet Hammond .