Mabel Murray Hammerstrom was born and raised on a farm in the Chancellor, South Dakota area. She attended Chancellor High School graduating in 1949. That same year, she married the love of her life, Earl Hammerstrom, a marriage lasting 66 years until his passing in August of 2015. The family moved to the Wall area in 1968, a community in which they had many friendships and great neighbors. Mabel was an excellent cook and took her skills to working as a cook for the Wall School District from 1971 to 1996. She was always so proud to feed “her kids there” the best meal possible.
After retiring in 1996, Mabel kept busy with numerous jobs and enjoyed working at Wall Drug Store. Mabel was active in the Catholic Church and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years. Mabel so enjoyed helping send packages to the troops during Operation Desert Storm. In her spare time she enjoyed playing cards and was one heck of a bridge player, playing bridge with partner Earl with friends and at Prairie Village League. Mabel will be remembered as a great wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many always willing to help someone who needed her.
Grateful for sharing her life are her sons Terry (Cheryl) Hammerstrom of New Underwood, and Craig Hammerstrom of Tooele, Utah; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four sisters Mary Blacknix of Yankton, Barbara Schneiderman of Lennox, Pat Berg of Monroe, SD, and Jackie Jondle of Montrose, SD; one brother James (Beverly) Murray of Sioux Falls; a brother-in-law Gene (Velma) Hammerstrom of Harrisburg; a sister-in-law Bernice Beamont of Sioux Falls; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Earl, Mabel was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Florence Murray; and a sister Kathy (Joe) Tooley.
Mabel always sent money to St. Jude’s as that meant so much to her. The Hammerstrom family is very thankful to Edgewood Assisted Living and Morningstar Assisted Living for their wonderful care the past four years, along with the staff at Rush Funeral Home. Thanks to all the wonderful friends and neighbors through the years as you all are very much appreciated.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral mass at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 29, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wall with Father Tyler Dennis as celebrant.
Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Guest Book
Mabel was so great to open her home to us in the summer to stay and work in Wall. She was our Mom when we needed her and loved to just sit and visit. She was a special lady who always had a smile. Love you always Mabel. God Bless. Thoughts and prayers to you all.
~ Tyra L Austin
Rapid City, South Dakota (10/24/2021)
Our condolences to Terry, Craig and your families on the passing of Mabel. Always enjoyed seeing them in Rapid City occasionally. Truly a wonderful couple.
~ Verlyn & Karen Hammerstrom
Colorado Springs, CO (10/29/2021)
Terry , Craig and families. Sorry to hear of Mabel's passing. Thoughts and prayers.
~ Tim and Peggy Lester
Austin, TX (10/24/2021)
Terry, Craig and families, I am so sadden to hear the loss of your Mom. She was such a great friend and neighbor, and a very sweet, classy lady. She will be missed by everyone!! I thought the world of you Mom & Dad. Great Great people!!
~ Marilyn F Wulf
3620 WILLOWBEND RD N/A (10/26/2021)
Mabel had sunshine following her wherever she went. I loved her passion for fitness and beauty. What a great soul!
~ Mary Contreras
Chandler, AZ (10/22/2021)
So sorry for your loss. Mabel was a very wonderful woman and enjoyed her company when we lived at the village in wall and enjoyed driving her to rapid city to do her shopping.
She will be missed by me and many others
~ Troy Gortmaker
Miller,sd (10/23/2021)
It was truly a privilege to know Mabel. She was a wonderful lady in so many ways.
~ Rev. Chris Orr
Rapid City, SD (10/24/2021)
Terry, Craig and families - Our condolences on Mabel's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
~ Jim & Kristie Estes
Saint Paul, MN (10/28/2021)
So sorry to hear this news. Mabel was one of the sweetest people I've ever known. May god be with you all at this time. Love and prayers going out to the family.
~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael
301 E. 5th St. Oakland, NE (10/23/2021)
Terry,
So sad to hear of your Mother's passing. She was a wonderful "spunky" person!
~ Karen Soderquist
(10/25/2021)
Terry Craig and families, So sorry about your Mom. I really have some fond memories of hanging out with your Mom. She had a great life and certainly left her mark on many hearts.
~ Steve and Deb Deal
Wall, SD (10/23/2021)
She was a wonderful lady
~ joann stark
South Sioux City,NE (10/26/2021)
Mabel was such a great person! Her sense of humor was something else. Growing up in the Wall School Lunch program, I always looked forward to her chili. A few years ago at my dad's funeral I asked her for the recipe, which she happily obliged. Robin and I had it tonight, in Mabel's honor, and it was fantastic, just like her.
~ Nick and Robin Feller
Denver (10/26/2021)
My Deepest Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I remember when she would serve lunches at the school. I also remember when she and her husband would visit with my grandparents.
~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff
Sturgis, SD (10/23/2021)
SD
~ Kathy Klemann
Rapid City (10/28/2021)
Mabel and Earl were a big part of my life, loved them both. I lived with them in my high school years. I remember dancing and singing in the kitchen, such a good memory. She was tough and kind hearted all rolled into one. I'm so very sorry for your loss, she will be greatly missed. Thank you Mabel, I will miss you always,
~ Lane (Burmeister)O'Rourke
Quinn,SD (10/26/2021)
Terry and Craig and families. My deepest sympathy to you and your families. I really enjoyed your mother. She was so much fun. It always took a while to get going. She loved to visit. Thank you Mabel
~ Ester and Gene Johannesen
Wall (10/29/2021)
SD
~ Sara Jensen Masters
Rapid City (10/27/2021)
I work worked with Mabel and Colleen Clements in the school lunchroom all through high school. We sure had some good laughs! Mabel and Earl were good friends of my parents and i enjoyed visiting with them when they were at the house. Love you Mabel.
~ Jana Jones
Philip SD (10/28/2021)
Mabel always lit up every room that she walked in. Always encouraging to others and quite funny with her stories. She loved her family deeply and spoke of them often. She was patient in teaching me to play cribbage and a champion for other residents in need of a listening ear. I will always think of Mabel as a fashionable and elegant lady. I will miss her dearly,
~ Lisa Tobin
Edgewood Assisted Living Activities (10/28/2021)