MARVEL JOHANNA "HANNA"SERAFIA
HALBERG HAMMERSTROM
August 18, 1923 ~ February 3, 2016
Our dear mother and grandmother, Hanna, died peacefully at 92 years of age in Battle Ground, Washington. Born of Finnish immigrant homesteaders in Gackle, North Dakota on August 18, 1923. Her parents were Isaac and Anna Aliina (Uskoski) Halberg. Her father came to America alone from Finland at age 16. He lost his first wife in 1920 leaving him with 6 children from this first marriage. Hanna's mother lost her first husband and an infant son during the Spanish flu in 1918. Her father died in 1926, 2 months after Hanna's baby sister died. Her twice widowed mother raised her 3 young children during the depression in Gackle where Hanna lived all her young life. After graduation in Gackle, she was a teacher in North Dakota's one-room country schools.
Hanna met her husband, Francis Hammerstrom, in Detroit, Michigan where she had gone to work during WWII. Francis and Hanna were married in 1944 just before he was sent overseas to France.
After the war, they raised their 6 children in the Clawson Michigan areas. In the 1970s they moved to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, living in Hancock and having an antique store. In later years, Francis and Hanna moved to Washington state where he worked at Hyster Company in Portland, Oregon from where he retired.
Raised by a loving mother, Hanna and her siblings had a strong faith in God, a cheerful outlook and interest in many things and people all their lives. They lived with a twinkle in their eyes and plans for the day and future. Mother faced her last trial of dementia in old age with patience, acceptance and unwavering faith.
Survivors include her three daughters: Patty, Peggy with Nils, all of Battle Ground, and Marie with John of Bend, Oregon; three sons: Rick with Connie of Hancock, Michigan; Gerald with Sharon, and Rodney with Wendy of Pasco, Washington; 40 grandchildren; 151 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Hanna was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; 3 grandchildren, Richard, Aaron, Sam; two great-grandchildren: Louis and Isabelle; and her son-in-law, Calvin Ek. Also, preceding her were her parents; infant sister, Marie; her brother, Norbert Halberg; sister, Irene Ruonavaara; 5 half-sisters: Lillian, Rose, Violet, Hyacinth and Ivy; her half-brother, Clifford; and step-father, Walter Ollila.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, February 8th, 2016 at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, 16603 NE 142nd Ave., Brush Prairie, Washington. Burial will follow at Elim Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church Sunday evening, February 7th at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome.
Layne's funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
May God be with you, now that Hanna has passed away and made it to her goal in heaven. I will always remember 'Great Aunt Hanna' as a sweet lady with a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Rick & Connie, as well as the whole family.
Gordon & Nina Blakeman
February 8, 2016
Rick & Rod with your families,
What a blessing for your dear mother to have finally reached her blessed reward and to be in perfection with your other loved ones who have gone before. What a wonderful reunion that must be, and how strengthening it is for those of us that must walk here a few more days.
February 7, 2016
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
Funeral services provided by:
Layne's Battle Ground Funeral Home16 NE Clark Ave. Northeast 1st & Northeast Clark, Battle Ground, WA 98604
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more