Obit: Hamm, Leonard (1903 - 1956)

Contact: Stan

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hamm, Stasek, Sturgeon, Sailer, Henderson, Swanson, Rhyner

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 05/24/1956

Hamm, Leonard (1 SEP 1903 - 18 MAY 1956)

The community was stunned when it awoke Friday morning to learn that Leonard Hamm, 52-year-old Owen (Clark Co., Wis.) businessman had passed away during the night at St. Joseph’s Hospital at Marshfield where he had been the previous Tuesday for a physical check up.

He decided to enter the hospital for a physical check up after complaining to his wife of feeling generally tired and run down, and of having chest pains.  Mrs. Hamm had visited him daily during his short stay in the hospital and said that Thursday night he was in very good humor and that they enjoyed strolling up and down the hallways of the hospital while visiting.  He was found dead during a routine bed check by a nurse at 4:00 a.m.  Death was attributed to a heart failure.

Funeral services were held at nine o’clock Monday, May 21, with a Requiem Mass being said at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Owen, with Father H. L. Crubel officiating.  Burial was made in Riverside Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers were six nephews, Harold and Wilfred Rhyner, bob Hamm, Paul Stasek, Jr., and John and Herbie Stock.

Leonard J. Hamm, Sr., was born Sept. 1, 1903, in the Town of Holway, Taylor County.  On Nov. 29, 1929, he was united in marriage to Albe Stasek in a ceremony performed in their home parish in the Town of Holway.  The couple enjoyed a happy and successful rural life, being engaged in the occupation of farming until 10 years ago when they retired from the farm and moved to Owen.  During his residence in the Town of Holway he was always active in civic and school affairs.  For 22 years he served on the school board of Holway.  After coming to Owen he entered a business partnership with his brother-in-law, Paul Stasek, purchasing the Owen Theatre, which they operated for three and one-half years.  After selling out the theatre business he purchased the "Corner" Tavern from the estate of the late Mrs. Golden Sturgeon.  His continued interest in civic affairs was evidence by the fact that he served for two years as Alderman of the Third Ward and since coming to Owen had been an active member in the society of Holy Name Men of his parish.

Mourning his sudden death are his widow, one son, Leonard Hamm, Jr., now stationed with the Air Force at Salt Lake City, Utah; two daughters, Mrs. Earl (Nancy) Sailer, Wis. Rapids, and Mrs. Ray (Patsy) Henderson, Eau Claire; one brother, George Hamm of Chippewa Falls; two sisters, Mrs. Elvin (Frances) Swanson, Superior, and Mrs. George (Margaret) Rhyner, Wausau, and several grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.