Lena Hammer

Lena Juanita Hammer, 100, of Mountain Home, passed away peacefully Jan. 10, 2015, at a local long term facility.

A viewing for family and friends will be from 9-11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, with funeral services to follow at noon at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery will follow the service.

Lena was born on Sept. 16, 1914, in Woodland Park, Colo., to Frank and Sophia Longwell. She had four brothers, Joe, Earl, Ray and Chester, and one sister, Crystal.

She lived in Woodland Park until she married Rudolph (Rod) Hammer on Dec. 28, 1935.

Rod and Lena ranched and farmed southeast of Colorado Springs until 1947.

In August of 1947, they moved to Mountain Home, Idaho. Together they raised five children, Russell, Sharon, Mickey, Gayle and Marjorie.

Rod and Lena started Hammer Plumbing in 1956 and the family business continues today.

Upon retirement, they returned to raising a few calves and farming. They also enjoyed traveling and visiting family.

After Rod's death in January 1986, Lena continued to travel and visit family and lived independently until recently.

Lena enjoyed making clothes for her children and later her grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed planning and preparing food for family gatherings.

Lena taught her children the importance of loyalty, responsibility and caring for one another. She was always involved in her children's lives, being a room mother and Girl Scout leader. There are many fond memories of cherry picking trips, branding, building and raising the windmill and helping with the garden and canning.

Her priority was her family and she took great joy in family gatherings.

Lena spent many hours hand piecing and quilting. She made over 100 quilts as graduation, wedding and baby gifts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as special friends.

Lena was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and her husband, Rod.

She is survived by a son, Russell Hammer (Charlotte), daughters Sharon Massey (Stan), Mickey Cantrell, Gayle Henderson (Bob) and Marjorie Fisher (Larry), all of Mountain Home. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations in Lena's honor may be made to the Mountain Home Fire Department Burn Out Fund, 220 S. 2nd East St., Mountain Home, ID 83647, or a favorite charity.