Surnames: Hamm, Smith, Balthazar

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 04/08/1948

Hamm, Elsie (29 NOV 1892 - 30 MAR 1948)

Final rites were conducted for Mrs. Fred Hamm, aged 55 years, 4 months and 1 day, from the Griebenow Funeral Parlors Friday afternoon, April 2, 1948, at two o’clock. The Rev. B. W. Fresenborg of Greenwood officiated at the final rites and burial was made in the family lot in the Riverside Cemetery.

Pallbearers at the service were: Art Hacker, Ed Hoffman, Charles Jennings, Herman Frahmann, Elmer Voightlander and Earl Nichols. Flower girls were: Loretta Smith, Sylvia Frahmann, Shirley Smith, Dagny Taylor, Joyce Karaba, Jean and Virginia Smith and Geraldine Karaba.

Mrs. Fred Hamm, nee Elsie Smith, passed away at her home in the Town of Hoard (Clark Co., Wis.) on the evening of April 2nd (I think this should really be March 30th) after having been in poor health for the past two years, suffering from a heart ailment. However, despite her illness she maintained a strong faithful spirit which enabled her many friends, relatives and family to enjoy many pleasant moments with her.

She was born on Nov. 29, 1892 at Eldorado, Wis. As a young girl she moved with her parents to their farm home in the Town of Hoard. On April 11, 1909, she was confirmed into the Bethany Reformed Church by the Rev. W. H. Lahr, at Curtiss, Wis.

On Jan. 24, 1913, she and her husband, Fred Lester Hamm, were married at Curtiss, Wis. Shortly after their marriage they settled in Taylor County and later at Brandon, Wis. Later they returned to Clark County, settling on their present farm in the Town of Hoard where she had resided ever since.

A devoted Christian she practiced her teachings in her home and to her family. She had been a member of the Bethany Reformed Church for the past 39 years and spent many years actively engaged in the ladies aid society’s program.

Surviving her passing are her husband and five children: four sons, Harry of Waukegan, Ill.; Harold of Milwaukee, Wis.; and Raymond and Robert, living at home, and one daughter, Bernice, who is also at home; three grandchildren, Shirley, Ronald and James Hamm of Medford. Also surviving her are five sisters, Mrs. Albert (Tena) Balthazar, Fond du Lac (the rest of my copy was cut off because it was continued on another page)