JOHN HEMMER

Palmer resident John “Jack” Gordon Hemmer, 82, died on July 1, 2008 at Mat-Su Regional Hospital due to illness.

Hemmer was born on March 6, 1926 in Breckenridge, Minn. He was the son of the late Patrick and Cora (Haire) Hemmer.

Hemmer was one of the original Pioneer Colonists arriving in Palmer with his family in 1935 at the age of 9. He attended Palmer schools and the North Dakota Science School.

He was an Army veteran, serving in World War II (Victory Medal and Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon). In 1953 he married Ave Germain “Geri” Brown at St. Michael’s Church in Palmer.

Hemmer retired from Civil Service at Fort Richardson where he was a heavy equipment operator. Prior to that he was owner/operator of Hemmer Excavating. After retiring, he enjoyed skiing, sailing and traveling with his wife across the United States, visiting children, grandchildren and friends. He also enjoyed helping his neighbors at his home on Nancy Lake.

He is survived by his wife, Geri; daughters Janet Williams and her husband, Randy, of Wasilla, Nancy Gibson and her husband, Clayton, of Rio Rancho, N.M., Sara Dodge and her husband, Alan, of Greenbrier, Ark., and Susan VanPatten and her husband, Duane, of Boise, Idaho; son Carl Hemmer and his wife, Cindy, of Willow; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and sister Roberta Joann Claassen of Vancouver, Wash.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, at St. Michael’s Parish in Palmer. A celebration of life will follow.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.