Arnold Hammer, 80 of Thief River Falls died on Saturday, August 13, 2005 at the CNC Unit of North West Medical Center in Thief River Falls.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 17, 2005 in Bethany Lutheran Church rural Thief River Falls with Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating and Reverend Gary Halvorson officiating. Burial will be held in the Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN and also one hour prior to the services in the church on Wednesday.

Arnold S. Hammer was born October 14, 1924, in Smiley Township of Pennington County, near Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the youngest child of Bertel and Emma (Bredeson/Nyhus) Hammer. Arnold grew up on the family farm, attending District #31 Hummer School through eighth grade and graduating from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1943. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, being a life-long member of Bethany Lutheran Church of rural Thief River Falls.

Arnold married Grace E. Dahlen on September 24, 1949, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Thief River Falls. They purchased a farm adjacent to Arnolds home farm, where they worked and raised their family, enjoying 50 years of married life. Arnold and Grace were very gracious people and the coffee pot was always on at their home. They also enjoyed keeping in contact with relatives in Norway and had the privilege of traveling there twice to visit family and friends.

Through the years, Arnold served on governing boards of Bethany Lutheran Church, Goodridge Lutheran Parish, Bethany Cemetery Association, Lake of the Woods Bible Camp, Smiley Township and Federal Land Bank of Warren, Minnesota.

Arnold continued to live on the farm after Graces death on August 29, 2000. In September of 2004 he moved to Greenleaf Assisted Living Center in Thief River Falls, and then spent a short time at Karlstad Healthcare Center, Karlstad, MN, before moving to the Northwest Medical Center Convalescent and Nursing Care Unit in Thief River Falls.

He is survived by three sons: John (Delaine) and Lynn (Carol) of Thief River Falls, Dale (Kathy) of Grand Forks, ND, one daughter, Ruth (Rev. Gary) Halverson, of Karlstad, MN; nine grandchildren: Maren Hammer, Brea, Ashley, and Brittany Hammer, Kelly (Dave) Lindseth, Lindsey Hammer, and Thomas, Andrew, and Emma Halverson; three great-grandchildren: Lane, Maisy, and Cade Lindseth; sister, Esther Nelson, of Brainerd, MN; brother-in-law, Olaf (Lois) Dahlen, of Coon Rapids, MN; sister-in-law, Ella Englund of Thief River Falls; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

He was preceeded in death by his parents; his wife, Grace; three brothers: Olger Nyhus, Ben and Marvin Hammer; and one sister, Martha Craik.

Family condolences may be sent www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN (218) 681-4331 FAX (218) 681-4534.

PIANIST/SOLOIST: Diane Johnson
SELECTION: No More Night
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Blessed Assurance , Behold A Host Arrayed in White and Peace Like A River
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: All of Arnolds Grandchildren
CASKETBEARERS: Leslie Wilde, Elwood Tieman, Mark Stenseth, Ronald Philipp, Alan Newton, Robert Helgeland, Myles Olson, Marty Lendobeja