In Memory of Margaret Helen Hamann

           Margaret Helen Hamann, age 92, of Battle Creek, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

          Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the St. Johns Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Randy D. Cormeny will officiate. A private family inurnment will be held on, Monday, May 16, 2016, in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery of rural Battle Creek, Midway, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home, of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

          Margaret Helen (Kelsheimer) Hamann was born on December 11, 1923, in Charter Oak, Iowa, to William and Ethel (Eyer) Kelsheimer. The second of eight children, Margaret grew up on a farm outside of Anthon, Iowa. She attended and graduated from Anthon Public School with the class of 1941. Margaret continued her education at Iowa Lakes Community College, to become an activities coordinator.

            Employed for 19 ½ years in the healthcare industry, Margaret began her career at the Hartley Memorial Hospital of Battle Creek, Iowa. She then worked at the Willow Dale Nursing Home in Battle Creek, starting as a nurse’s aide and then as an activities coordinator. Prior to her retirement, Margaret also worked at the First State Bank in two of its locations, Ida Grove and Battle Creek.

            Margaret met her husband, William “Bill” Hamann at a dance. The couple were united into marriage on December 14, 1941, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church (Midway) of Battle Creek, Iowa. Margaret and Bill settled on a farm outside of Battle Creek, Iowa and were blessed with four children: Gary, Wayne, Virginia and Steven. They enjoying 34 years together until Bill passed in 1975.

            A faithful and active member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church (Midway), Margaret served as President of the Ladies Aid and taught Sunday school for 15 years. When she moved to town she served on the St. John’s Lutheran Ladies Aid (two terms as President) and served on other committees inside of the church.

            Margaret donated her time as a 4-H leader in Morgan Township for 10 years. She was part of the Women’s Legion Auxiliary, acted as the program chairperson for the Women’s Club (Anthon/ Battle Creek) for 4 years and then as the publicity chair for another 4 years.

            She enjoyed traveling, gardening and playing cards. Her travels took her throughout the U.S. and to several European countries such as East Berlin in 1983 (behind the Iron Curtain).

            Left to cherish her memory are her loving children, Gary (Maj-Britt) Hamann of Gilbert, AZ, Wayne (Jacki) Hamann of Omaha, NE, Virginia (Herbert) Lensch of St. Simons Island, GA, and Steven (Marsha) Hamann of Sac City, IA; eleven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren; brothers, Roger (Barbara) Kelsheimer of Melcher, IA, Jimmy (Shirlene)  Kelsheimer of Anthon, IA; sister, Vera (Wesley) Baldwin of Anthon, IA; sister-in-law, Leona Montague of Hemet, CA; and extended family and friends.

            Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ethel Kelsheimer; husband, Bill Hamann; sisters, Ruth (Harry) Kroll and Lois (Evereld) Steffen; brothers, Tom Kelsheimer and Dean (Janet) Kelsheimer; brothers-in-law, John (Laverna) Hamann and Alfred Hamann; sisters-in-law, Mildred (Wayne) Fitchner, Marion (Alvin) Rippke, and Margaret (Archie) Milligan.