Audrey Hammer

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Audrey Hammer, 97, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the St. Edward Catholic Church  in Minneota. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Hemnes Cemetery in Minneota.

Audrey Irene (Nelson) Hammer was born on October 2, 1928, in Lynd Township, Lyon County, to Werner and Irene (McLaughlin) Nelson. She was the third of five children. The family farm was along the Redwood River, and Audrey spent many days playing in the river with her siblings. She graduated from Lynd High School in 1946, where she was a cheerleader for the state runner-up 1946 Lynd basketball team. After graduating, Audrey attended St. Cloud Teacher’s College for two years, then taught in Morton for two years. Audrey was united in marriage to Donald Hammer on November 4, 1950, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. The couple raised their six children in rural Minneota. They enjoyed traveling together, including trips to New Orleans, Denver, and Hawaii. They were married for 70 years before Don’s death in 2021.

Audrey taught at St. Edward Catholic School for two years, then in 1970, Audrey attended Southwest State University to earn her bachelor’s degree in teaching. After graduating in 1972, she began teaching first grade at the Minneota Public School until her retirement in 1994. In her free time, Audrey enjoyed quilting, watching birds, and shopping. She also enjoyed traveling with family and friends, whether it be day trips to antique store and auctions or a month-long trip to Europe.

Audrey died on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Prairie Home Hospice Lockwood House in Marshall. She is survived by her children Katie (and Dan) Deutz of Lake Benton, Jeff (and Mona) Hammer of Minneota, Todd Hammer (and Hilary DeVlaeminck) of Minneota, Jean (and Ron) Sik of Mankato, Gretchen (and Dennis) Buysse of Minneota, Matthew Hammer of Mankato; 16 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; brother Steve Nelson of Chaska; as well as many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, and siblings Bob Nelson, Kathleen Giefer, and Joan Peters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Prairie Home Hospice.