Stanley "Stan" D. Hammer, 79, died Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at Riverview Manor, Flandreau. Stan was born on December 11, 1930 to Emil and Lena (Reichmann) Hammer at Flandreau, SD. He attended grade school at Saby and Chamberlain Country Schools and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1948. After graduation he was unable to be in the armed service because of a heart murmur so he joined his father farming at the family farm raising mostly corn and soybeans. They also had a cow-calf herd and farrow to finish hog operation. Stan loved sports, playing independent basketball, 3rd base for the Flandreau Cardinals, slow pitch for the Johnson Hot Rods, Our Savior's Team and Winter Concrete. He loved the Chicago Cubs, Twins and Vikings. Stan married Delores Winter at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone on September 14, 1952. He was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, serving as Luther League Advisor, Sunday School Teacher, 3 terms as church President, church council member, took a 3 year Bethel Teacher Training, teaching both adults and high school classes and served as the Lutheran Brotherhood Branch #8787 President for 15 years. Stan also served on the Flandreau School Board for 13 years, 3 years as President. He was awarded the JC's Outstanding Farmer Award and was active as a 4-H Leader. Stan and Delores were 4-H Parade Marshals for the Achievement Days Parade in 2006. Stan received various awards while selling hogs, seed corn and beans for Farmers Hybrid, Asgrow-Dekalb. He was active as an officer in the NFO, helping in efforts to save small family farms. Stan loved fishing in Mattawa Lake, Canada and attending Promise Keepers. He loved his church and family. Nothing pleased him more than following all of his family to their many activities.

Stan leaves behind his wife, Delores, Flandreau; 5 children, Dr. Brad (Gaylene) Hammer, Des Moines, IA, Lisa (Bart) Laber, Parkston, Lori (Paul) Millman, Sioux Falls, Connie (Jack) Fitzgerald, Dell Rapids, Dr. Bryan (Shelly) Hammer, Sioux Falls; 17 grandchildren, Michelle (Jesse), Bryson (Molly), Gabe (Kristi), Kassandra (Luke), Riley (Kayleesue), Alena, Abigail (Keith), Jennalee, Emily (Jeff), Cami (Blaine), Colby (Adria), Kirby, Reagan, Lauren, Collin, Kathryn, Bryce; 3 great-grandchilren, Delaney, Brayden and Briley. Stan is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Lena Hammer and infant sister, LaVonne.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Flandreau with burial at Union Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:30 PM on Friday with family present beginning at 5:00 PM and a prayer service at 7:30 PM.