Marvin Hammer

Marvin Wallace Hammer was born the seventh child of Joseph and Irene (Aubert) Hammer Dec. 6, 1935, in Pringle, S.D.
At the age of 5, the family moved to Custer, S.D., so that the children could attend school.
Marvin graduated from Custer High School in 1954. While in high school, he worked summers for the U.S. Forest Service. After he graduated from high school he worked nine months on and three months off for the Forest Service, eventually going full time in 1958.  
Marvin met the love of his life, Donna Larson, in the fall of 1954 at the roller rink in Custer. They married on Oct. 19, 1956.
Marvin retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1983 and moved back to Custer to help care for his parents. He went to work for the City of Custer street department and soon became the foreman of the street department. Marvin retired from the City of Custer in 1997.
Marvin loved anything that had to do with the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved camping. He spent many hours walking the creeks and canyons in the Black Hills with his kids and grandkids.
Marvin never considered it a bother to have the kids or grandkids tag along with him. He loved the hours he got to spend with them. Whether it was going for a ride through the Wildlife Loop, visiting with loved ones over coffee and dessert Donna made, or fishing, camping or hunting, Marvin was always open for the adventure.
Marvin enjoyed wood working and building things with this hands. He would spend hours in the garage building furniture, picture frames or anything else he could think of. There are many, many memories to be cherished by his children and grandchildren.
Marvin passed away on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. He was 88.
Marvin was preceded in death by his son, Steven; son-in-law, Curtis; parents;  sister, Evelyn; sisters and brothers-in-law Leona (Don) Harding and Norma Jean (Dale) Bennett; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph (Delores) Hammer and Ernest (Mildred) Hammer; and brother, Eugene Hammer.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Donna (Larson) Hammer; his special “snow ball” pup Kelsey; daughter-in-law, Karen (Steve) Hammer of Hermosa, S.D.; daughters, Debra (Curtis) Jensen of Rapid City, S.D., and Jeannette (Ernest) Pacheco of Custer; son, Robert (Gloria) Hammer of Ft Collins, Colo.; grandchildren, Amber Hageman of Fairbanks, Alaska, Justin (Katie) Hammer of Rapid City, Amy (Hayden) McVeigh of Bellevue, Neb., Aaron (Devon) Hammer of Cambridge, Wis., Belinda (Brad) Brown of Broomfield, Colo., and Ryan Pacheco of North Glenn, Colo.; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, James (Deb) Hammer of Pierre, SD and Chuck (Kathy) Hammer of Springfield, Ore.;  A very, very special brother-in-law, Bill (Mona Lee) Larson of Fon Du Lac, Wis.; special sister-in-law Elma DuChateau of Custer; and many neices, nephews and cousins.
Marvin was a member of Abundant Life Fellowship in Custer. Although quiet about his faith, he knew the Lord and knew that he was going to be in heaven with all those who had gone before.
Vistitation will be Friday, Feb. 9, from 5-7 p.m. at Custer Senior Center.
Services are Saturday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m., at Custer Lutheran Fellowship. A luncheon will follow.
Interment will be at Custer Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the Abundant Life Fellowship Building Fund or The Gideons.