Loretta Mae Hammond

Loretta Mae Hammond, age 91, of Marshall, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2015, at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Funeral services are Friday, January 23, 2015, 10:30 AM, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshall. Private family interment will be in the Marshall City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday, January 22, 2015 at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM, Friday at the church.
Clergy Officiating: Rev. Wes Johnson
Congregational Hymns: “How Great Thou Art,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Because He Lives”
Active Casket Bearers: Brandon Kruse, Brad Kruse, Matt Kruse, Chris Moran, Ben Moran, Dave Moran

Loretta Mae Killius was born on April 22, 1923, in Sodus Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Charles and Mabel (Drown) Killius. Loretta was baptized at Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshall and attended school in Marshall. Then, as a young woman, she worked in the Navy Department in Washington DC from 1945 – 1946.

On December 29, 1946, Loretta was united in marriage to Luther C. Hammond at Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshall. The couple resided in Marshall where Loretta worked at the Killius Hatchery family business. She would go on to work at the State Highway Patrol Office in Marshall. Loretta was a life-long member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshall.

Loretta’s enjoyments in life included attending her grandchildren’s sporting and music events throughout the years, the annual Minnesota Summer family gatherings in Marshall, traveling with family on many trips for graduations, weddings, and vacations, family fishing trips to her nephew’s lake home on Ox Lake, and the weekly coffee get-together with her friends. She was an avid Twins fan and attended many games with family and followed then faithfully on TV. She also enjoyed the Timberwolves, Vikings, Gophers, and all major tennis tournaments on the pro circuit. Most of all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always put her family first and surrounded them with love.

Loretta died on Sunday, January 18, 2015, in Marshall, Minnesota at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 27 days. Blessed be her memory.

Loretta is survived by her three children, John (and Sherry) Hammond of Plymouth, MN, Pat (and Dave) Moran of Cincinnati, OH, Cathy Kruse of Marshall, MN; five grandchildren, Brandon (and Christi) Kruse, Brad (and Gaelle) Kruse, Chris Moran, Ben (and Teresa) Moran, Matt (and Gretl) Kruse; seven great-grandchildren, Mia, Grace, Josh, Nathan, Liam, Claire, Sage; two siblings, Zona (and Carl) Dahl of Bella Vista, AR, Chuck Killius of Marshall; nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mabel Killius; husband, Luther “Bozy” Hammond; and son-in-law, Jeff Kruse.

The family invites everyone to the church basement following the service for a luncheon.