James Hammell

James (Jim) Anthony Hammell, 87, of Caledonia, MN passed away peacefully Monday, July 20, 2020 at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove, MN from complications of stage 4 lung cancer. Due to restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, the family held a private Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caledonia, MN. Burial with  military rites was in St. Joseph’s  Cemetery, New Albin. A celebration of his life will be planned later.

Jim was born November 7, 1932 at home on the Sand Cove in rural New Albin to George and Elizabeth (Wall) Hammell, the youngest of nine children. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Era from 1954 to 1956 in the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

He married Ila Mae Kubitz June 18, 1957 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, New Albin and celebrated 63 years of marriage with her June 18, 2020. They farmed in the Winnebago Valley for many years and then retired to Caledonia, MN in 2012. Jim enjoyed visiting with many relatives and friends and liked dancing to old time and country music and playing euchre.

In addition, in 2017, he was given the opportunity to go on the Freedom Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Through the years Jim served on the Houston County Group Home board and the Jefferson Township board.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ila; his sons, Kevin (Angela) Hammell of Rochester, MN and Steven Hammell of LaCrescent, MN; his grandchildren, Abbey Hammell of Burnsville, MN and Anna Hammell of Rochester, MN; his sister, Esther Walleser of Waukon; and his brother, Larry Hammell of Denver, CO.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, George and Earl; his sisters, Anna Collins, Sister Georgia Hammell FSPA, Pauline Blaskowski and Alberta Troendle; his sisters-in-law, Eleanor and Mary Hammell; and his brothers-in-law, Robert Collins, Lawrence Walleser, Ernest Blaskowski and Joe Troendle.

McCormick Funeral Home of Caledonia, MN is helping the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be given at mccormickfuneralhome.net. Memorials are preferred to St Mary’s Church, ABLE Inc. or ABC Works.