Mark J. Hammes

     Mark J. Hammes, 84, of Sparta, died Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family. Mark was born in La Crosse, WI on January 18, 1934 to Sylvester and Helen (Hegenbarth) Hammes. After graduation from Norwalk High School, he entered the Marine Corp. Following his service to his country, he earned a degree in Vocational Agriculture from the University of WI-Platteville in 1960.

     Mark married Rosalia Hemmersbach on September 5, 1959 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton, WI. Mark started his career with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service in 1960. In May of 1964, he joined the Farmers Home Administration. He retired from FmHA in 1990 in the State Office in Steven Point, WI. After his retirement, he drove school bus for over 20 years.

     Mark was an active member of the Catholic Church holding positions on the Parish Council. He served as Grand Knight and District Deputy for the Knights of Columbus in Portage, WI. He also served as District Deputy after moving to Sparta. Mark served on the Board of Directors for Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta until he became ill in 2015. He loved to garden and play cards.

     Mark is survived by Rosalia, his wife of 58 years; his sons, Richard of Verona, WI, Michael (Prattana) of Byron, IL, and Gerard of Denver, CO; his daughter, Susan (Tim) Fallon of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Monica (Jonathon) Brown, Kyle (Sonya) Hammes, Michael (Katie) Hammes Jr., Derek Hammes, Ryan Fallon, Nathan Hammes, Ellen Fallon, Alex Hammes, Adam Hammes, Jasmine Hammes, and Braiden Hammes; great grandchildren, Lilie Latona-Hammes, Weylin Hammes, and Luna Hammes; sisters, Joan (Dick) Ziegler, Mary (Bowne) Sayner, Judy (Phil) Briand, Peggy (David) Dunnum, Helen (Jerome) Fredrick, and Jolene (Fred) McCauley; brother, Fred (Barb) Hammes; sister-in-law, Shirley Hammes; and Rosalia’s brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Helen; brother, Sylvester Jr., sister, Audrey Korn; brothers-in-law, Donald Weibel and Raymond Korn.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Keith Kitzhaber officiating. Burial, with full military honors provided by VFW Post 2112, will be in the church cemetery.

     Family and friends are invited to call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta. There will be a rosary led by the Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Thursday at the church. 

     The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. 

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