Betty J Hammes

Betty J. Hammes

Betty J. Hammes, 89, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility. Betty was born on December 12, 1924 in Gifford, Illinois to Lloyd and Louise (Reynolds) Carley. She graduated from Buckley Community High School and the School of Commerce. Betty was employed at the Chanute Field Quartermasters Office where she met her future husband Dave. She married David G. Hammes on August 5, 1944 in Rantoul, IL. After Daves discharge from the service and his subsequent employment with the WI DNR, they lived in several Wisconsin locations before moving to La Crosse in 1950. Betty worked at the UW-L Student Health Center for 25 years retiring in 1987. She was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church and School since 1950. Betty enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, participating in Coulee Region Lioness, Catholic Womens League and Special Olympics. She volunteered at Franciscan Skemp Health Care, Muscular Dystrophy, Red Cross, Mobile Meals, Arthritis Foundation, Diabetes Association and Bloodmobile. Betty and Dave enjoyed participating in the annual Oktoberfest activities. Betty is survived by her seven children, Patricia (Gerald) Byom, Alan (Jean) Hammes, Edward (Nancy) Hammes, Steven (Patrice) Hammes, Mary (William) Vickroy, William Hammes and Ann Lounsbrough. She is also survived by eighteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, a great- great grandchild on the way, along with a sister-in-law Catherine Steigerwald. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dave, two sisters Ruth Ann Carley and Helen Hofacker, a brother William Carley, brothers-in-law Robert Steigerwald, James Hammes and Tom Hofacker, sister-in-law Betsy Carley, four grandchildren Sara Hammes, Seth Hammes, Trenton Vickroy and Michael Lounsbrough along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 7, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Blvd S., La Crosse. Monsignor Robert Hundt will officiate. Burial will follow in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 8:30 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred and will be distributed to Bettys favorite charities. The Schumacher Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, La Crosse Chapel is assisting the family.