Ronald "Pat" Hammer, 94, Minot, died Wednesday, January 3, 2018 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Ronald was born March 17, 1923 at Forget, Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of Ernest and Caroline (Moat) Hammer. He moved with his family to the Velva area in 1930, prior to the family moving to Minot in 1937. He graduated from Minot High School in 1940 and entered into the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Ronald was united in marriage to Eleanor Hovland on July 1, 1942 in Fargo, North Dakota.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and honorably served his country during World War II in the European and African Theater of the war. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and later was called up during the Korean Conflict.

Ronald began employment with the U.S. Postal service in 1948, working as a mail carrier, clerk and eventually supervisor all with the Post Office in Minot, until retiring in 1978. Together, he and Eleanor raised their five children. They had recently celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary.

Ronald was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot. He was also an active member of the local VFW Post #753, American Legion Post #26 and Postal Mail carriers union. He served with the VFW honor guard in presenting flags to countless veterans. During his younger years, he was a Boy Scout leader and Little League Baseball Coach. In his retirement years, he enjoyed gardening, doing handyman work, watching baseball - especially the Minnesota Twins, along with spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting events.

Dad was kind and generous, always offering advice, encouragement and a helping hand to anyone in need. He always appreciated the help he was given, expressing a 'thank you' to us. Dad we now want to say thank you for all that you have done for us! We love you and will miss you.

His loving family includes , wife, Eleanor, Minot; children, Patricia (Robert) Dzur, New Braunfels, TX; Ronald E. (Betty) Hammer, Petaluma, CA; Rodney Hammer, Santa Rosa, CA, Roger Hammer, Minot, LaDonna (Kelly) Wurgler, Minot; grandchildren Robert (Stephanie) Dzur, Roxann Dzur, Katrina Hammer, Jennifer Hammer, Matthew Wurgler & Blake (Tensy) Wurgler; step-grandchildren, Marcus (Cathleen) Schreier & Jason Schreier; great-grandchildren, Cherry & Micky Dzur; 4 step-great grandchildren; his sister, Lois Manz, Nashville, TN; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, Carl Dreier; brothers, Loren Hammer and Fred Dreier and sisters, Marie Vandeberg and Inez Fahy.

Funeral service : Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in St Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment : Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.