Denise Michelle Hammer, 64, of Flandreau, SD, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Eastman Hall in Flandreau, SD. The family will be present for visitation on Friday, November 29, 2024 beginning at 5:00PM with a wake service at 7:00PM at Eastman Hall in Flandreau, SD.

As a child, Denise attended schools in Aberdeen, SD.  It was in high school that she discovered the violin.   She became very good and went on to play the violin for several years.  She began working as an Enrollment Specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Aberdeen, SD, after finishing school in 1978.  While living in Aberdeen, Denise had a son named Brandon Peterson Hailstorm, who now resides in Flandreau, SD. Later she moved to Flandreau, SD and started working for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Health Clinic as a medical records transcriptionist/clerk.  She worked there many years.

While living in Flandreau, Denise met and married Tim Cadotte, Sr. and they had five children: Tim "Buster" Cadotte, Jr., Aimee L. Cadotte, Steven Cadotte, Sr., Justin Cadotte, and Kimee Cadotte, all of Flandreau.  She was blessed with four grandchildren: Steven Cadotte, Jr., (Steven Sr.), Rayanna Kaye Fox (Buster), Malechi Blue Bird, Ariel Figeroa, Isaiah Figueroa (Kimee).

Denise and Tim later divorced.   She then met Troy Hammer and were happily married for many years.  They enjoyed spending time together, traveling to pow-wows and spending time with family and friends.  Denise loved reading, playing games with grandkids, and just enjoying family time.  Her favorite game was candy crush; which she spent hours playing.

Denise is survived by siblings, Dennis "Mickey" Peterson, Corey Peterson, both of Flandreau; her mother, Julia (Judy) Allen; and all of her children; grandchildren; cousins and family.

She is preceded in death by two siblings, Geoffrey Peterson, Flandreau, and Baby Girl Peterson, Albuquerque, NM; three nephews, Brenden Peterson Hahn, Joe Peterson, and Michael Peterson; her father, Dennis Mike Peterson; grandparents, Laverne and Ray Allen; several uncles; one aunt, and several cousins.