Robert L. Hammes

September 20, 1928 - July 29, 2017

Robert L. Hammes, 88, of rural Delta, died Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. He was born September 20, 1928, in the Clear Creek Township of Keokuk County, the son of C.P. and Lena Vogel Hammes. Bob graduated from Sigourney High School with the class of 1947. Following high school, Bob worked with his father doing construction. On February 23, 1952, he was united in marriage to Marlene Merz at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Keota. Following their marriage, the two of them moved to Kansas City, and Bob worked as a draftsman for Bendix Corp. for a year and a half. They returned to Iowa and rented a farm in Keokuk County, and later purchased the land, where they continued to farm. Bob was also an accomplished carpenter. He worked on many projects around Oskaloosa, including building their family home with Marlene. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and hunting. Bob loved being on the farm. He died as a result of injuries he received doing what he loved, working on the farm. Bob was a 71 year member of the Knights of Columbus; a charter member of Bishop O’Keefe Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus; and 15 years ago was made a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory by Davenport Diocese Bishop William Franklin. Bob was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in What Cheer until that church was closed, and has since been active in St. Mary’s Church, Oskaloosa. His family includes his wife Marlene Hammes of rural Delta; their children, Craig Hammes (& Mary Kleinsorge) of Delta, Colorado, Debbie Hammes Walsh (& Mike Walsh) of Ankeny, Iowa, Robbi Hammes Royce of Des Moines, Denise Hammes of Overland Park, Kansas, Brian Hammes of Las Vegas, Nevada,and Russell (& Karla) Hammes of rural Rose Hill; 12 grandchildren: Nikaila and Stephanie Kleinsorge, Elizabeth Mefford, Becky Royce, Emily Quinnett, Kristen Rossi, Kelly Picanso, Kaitlin Morrell, Grace Fitzpatrick, Brandon Tomlin, Rachelle Beals, and Brianna Thies; 10 great grandchildren: Lena and Faye Rossi, Caden and Wyatt Picanso, Drake Tomlin, Dane and Reis Beals, and Zavier, Finley, and Haven Thies; a brother, Norbert (& Marie) Hammes of Fairfield; two sisters, Anna Kathryn Krier and Mary Magdalen Webb, both of Sigourney; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Clarissa Hammes and Marcella Schneider; and four brothers: Orville, Eldrid, Paul, and Charles Hammes. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend John Spiegel officiating. Burial will be in the Clear Creek Cemetery, Keokuk County. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin at the funeral chapel on Tuesday after 11:00 a.m., and the family will be at the funeral chapel Tuesday from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. There will be a Rosary recited at 5:30 p.m, followed by continued visitation. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Church, or Rossi House at University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City.