James Scott Hamman, age 72, passed away from long standing cardiac disease on October 17, 2018 at Rocky Mountain Care Center. He is finally at peace and enjoying the company of his parents, his Uncle Louis, and several hunting buddies from Wisconsin and Montana.
Jim was born November 7, 1945 to James C. and Minnie L. Hamman in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc and attended the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc Extension before enlisting in the US Army serving 3 years during the Viet Nam War.
After his discharge from the military, Jim married Mary Ann Novak on June 6,1970 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He took pleasure in helping his wife with her commute to nursing school in Green Bay. There was many a trip that involved snow storms and snow levels to the cross arms of the telephone poles. They enjoyed the peace and quiet of Sand Bay in Door County, Wisconsin first staying with good friend Tom Wilda and then renovating and relaxing at their cabin at Sand Bay. There were good memories with the get-togethers with Tom Wilda, Jack and Gail Haag, and Kim and Dave Pagel.
While Mary Ann was in nursing school, Jim was employed as a Park Ranger at Point Beach State Forest and enjoyed telling of the escapades from many of the campers and visitors. The one he liked best was the camper who was heating a can of baked beans over a campfire and the explosion that occurred from not venting the can. The contents covered Jim and not the campers.
In 1972, Jim enrolled at Lakeland College, Sheboygan Wisconsin, graduating in 1974 with honors with a Business Administration Degree. The course he enjoyed the most was “Logic” and often talked about the 7 fallacies in thinking. The one he often quoted was “this therefore because of this”.
After graduation, Jim found his way into Law Enforcement with the City of Manitowoc as a Patrol Officer making many lasting friends. He was known to call into dispatch letting them know a crime was going down before an alarm was set off. Jim loved the night shift and the many crazy incidents that occurred on that shift. Jim kept in contact with Charlie Rasmussen over the years sharing information about friends and family.
In 1982, Jim and Mary Ann’s first daughter was born. There was a struggle with names since Jim, absolutely, did not like any of Mary Ann’s choices. They finally settled on Sarah Jane after a grandmother on Jim’s side of the family. His pet name for Sarah was “skidodder”.
Jim’s dream was to live out west, “up a gulch someplace”, enjoy the outdoors, and raise his family. In 1983, he moved his family, along with his parents and sister, out west to the Clancy Montana area, up Little Buffalo, to acreage among the mountains. He enjoyed watching nature at its best especially when the Elk where playing in the front field.
In 1985, another daughter was born and was named after Mary Ann and her side of the family. The chosen name was Margaret Ann and after a compromise, they agreed to call her Peggy. Jim’s pet name for Peg was “the mouse that roared”.
Jim found his way back into law enforcement in Montana with the City of East Helena as a Reserve Police Officer, with Jefferson County as a deputy, and with the City of Helena as a Patrol Officer before retiring after a knee injury chasing a suspect down an alley.
In 1991, a son was born and was named after his father, his grandfather, and his uncle. James Louis was shortened to JL to minimize confusion with names. The pet name for JL was “L J” since JL reprogrammed his small electronic computer to say “L J your turn”.
Jim enjoyed watching his son play football from the small fry games through JL’s senior year of high school. He never missed a practice or a game.
Jim and Mary Ann’s three children grow up on the land and had many adventures with the wildlife, the raising of 4-H animals, riding horses, and cutting all those died or dying trees for lumber or firewood.
He lived on the land with his family until his disabilities from a stroke forced his move to Rocky Mountain Care Center in September, 2012 for more extensive care. The caregivers at Rocky became family and many jokes were shared with staff. Of importance, the staff were instructed to make sure the Packer games were turned on so he could watch “his team”. He enjoyed reminiscing about the many games he attended while living in Wisconsin especially the “Ice Bowl” championship game.
Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman: fishing and duck hunting in Wisconsin; antelope, deer, and elk hunting in Montana. Jim was always seen in his camouflage chamois shirts.
Jim was an Endowment member of the NRA and enjoyed the American Rifleman magazines each month. Along with many friends, he planned and coordinated activities for the Friends of the NRA Banquets in Helena for several years.
Jim is survived by his wife Mary Ann and three children: Sarah Bennet and Ryan Hoveskeland, Peggy and Brady Beyers, and James (JL) and Aspen Hamman. Jim has seven grandchildren: Gideon, Joy, Abigail, Lily, Sadie Jo, Colt, and TJ (Theodore James). Two sisters survive: Jane L. Hamman and Geneva Boissonnault. There are many extended family members in the Midwest and many friends in Montana (Bill, Clyde and Lynette, Jimmy and Jo, Pat and Cora, Don and Connie, Jay and Karen, Willy) and in Wisconsin (Tom, Jack and Gail, Daniel and Yvvone, Les and Carol).
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James C. and Minnie L. Hamman, 2 uncles, 2 aunts, and several cousins. He is also preceded in death by friends Bud, Jack, Dave, and Hank.
Jim’s immediate family want to thank the Rocky Mountain Care family for their support and care over the years. They, also, want to thank the many friends and co-workers that have given their support and shoulders during the many ups and downs during Jim’s illness. The long journey could not have been done without everyone’s support and assistance. God bless you all.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Jim was laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials in honor of James are suggest to C.O.P.S. – Concerns of Police Survivors, P.O. Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of James.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:30 a.m.
Saturday July 20, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Followingh the memorial service
Saturday July 20, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:30 a.m.
Saturday July 20, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Followingh the memorial service
Saturday July 20, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Tanya Hartman says
My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to you Mary Ann and family. My heart is so heavy with the lose of Jim. I’ve been visiting Jim and the other veterans for over two years and Jim has a special spot in my heart. He always joined us for the visits and enjoyed all the goodies I baked. We shared a love of The Packers and the opportunity to just share his stories. We never parted ways without a hug and an I love you as well as a plan to visit again soon. I am so relieved he is no longer suffering, but selfishing will miss him so much and will experience a hole where he used to be in out visits. I know I can speak for all who joined me- that Jim was an amazing man and we were so blessed to have gotten to know him.
Leigh Haislip Spencer says
Jane and family, deepest condolences to you all. May you feel God’s comfort and Jim’s peace.
Jeannie Lake says
Mary Ann, Sarah, and JL, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am lucky to have known him for a short time and he was a wonderful man.
Al Forgey says
What a great man Jim was. Jim was a frequent customer of mine at the Grain Elevator in Helena, and I so enjoyed conversations with him. His kids should feel proud that their father talked about them often and was very proud in the people they became. I know that I am blessed for having known Jim. My heart is heavy.
Cynde Watkins says
Mary Ann, I am sorry for your loss and think of you. If you need anything let me know.
William W Gamble says
Mary Ann and Children and Grandchildren; My Deepest Sympathies and Prayers With You All on Jim’s Passing ! Although it’s been a few years since I hunted in The Helena and Clancy Area, I’ll always cherish the talks and reminiscence we shared when I saw him. Peace, Brother…
Wanda and Mel White says
MaryAnn and Children and Spouses–I remember Jim from 1988 and moving into Clancy! What a nice man and was so helpful to us those Winter’s of late 80’s and early 90’s. So kind. I am sorry for the loss of him. Not being well enough to be at home with loved ones is so hard. Prayers for you all. Love each other.
James Charles Van Ells says
Scott and I were hunting buddies in Manitowoc and we used to hunt ducks and fish in Lake Michigan. We went hunting with Tommy Wilda before he became a game warden. We had lots of stories and enjoyed growing up together through high school. I moved to MN after college and lost track of Scott and Mary Ann. My deepest sympathies to the entire family.
Jim Van Ells
T. B. says
May I offer my sincere condolences for your loss. May your hearts find comfort in God’s Word where it states: “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord will wipe the tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8). Almighty God promises to awaken our loved ones to a world of true peace with no sickness (Isaiah 33:24), and no more troubles (Revelation 21:4) throughout eternity (Psalm 37:29). May your hearts find comfort and hope in God’s promises.
Peg Mertz says
Dear Mary Ann and family. My thoughts are with you in your sorrow at Jim’s passing. I have good memories of patrolling with him “back in the day “ on the night shift in Manitowoc. May your memories comfort you in the days to come.