Joan Mildred Hammer-Drew
September 30, 1931 ~ January 9, 2007
HAMMER-DREW, JOAN MILDRED, 75, ret. teacher. Celebration of life will be 10:00 am Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at Downing Lahey East Mortuary. Graveside services will be 2:00 pm at Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia, Kansas. Mildred Joan Olm Hammer Drew was born September 30, 1931 in Emporia, KS to Leslie Virgil Olm and Lucy Margaret Brickey Olm. She died peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 6, 2007 with her family by her side. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Michaela Hammer Stenger of Wichita, son; Steven Berlin Hammer of Shaker Heights, OH, son-in-law; Paul Stenger, two grandchildren; Christopher Stenger of Prairie Village, KS, Jennifer Stenger Brim of Webster City, IA, a great Granddaughter; Shelby Brim of Webster City, IA, two sisters-in-law; Imegene Marsh of Emporia and Chloe Olm of Kansas City. Other members of her family include Francis and Don Lambin of Wichita, Vicki Churchman of Wichita, Dr. Roger Holmes of California and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husbands Berlin Ellsworth Hammer, Jr. and Earl Drew; her daughter Cynthia Jo Hammer and her brother Leslie Virgil Olm. Joan married the love of her life Berlin Ellsworth Hammer, Jr., a Wichita elementary administrator in 1951 and enjoyed 25 years together until his death in 1976. She later married Earl Drew of Derby, a ret. Major in the United States Air Force. Joan grew up in Emporia and graduated from Emporia State Teachers College with a major in elementary education. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Epsilon Sorority. She was an elementary school teacher and librarian until her retirement. She taught in many small schools around Emporia and Wichita. While growing up in Emporia, she was a member of the 1st Baptist Church and when she and Berlin moved to Derby in the late 1950s they joined the Woodland United Methodist Church. Joan loved family life, traveling and had a soft spot in her heart for children and pets. She spent many hours taking her children to their activities and also was known to hop on a plane and travel for hours to see her son Steven run in marathons. She had a green thumb and was always surrounded by beautiful plantings. She also had a way with decorating and her homes were always a collection of not only what was “in style” at the time but also a collection of fine art pieces and collectables from around the world. One of her prized pieces was a 14 foot “Shamans Pole” from northern New Guinea. As one of her hospice nurses recently commented, “coming to her home was almost like going to a museum.” Joan will be deeply missed by all but we know that when we see the sun shine, the plants bloom and the animals romp that she is still with us in our hearts and souls. Memorials may be sent to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202 and Kansas Humane Society, 4218 Southeast Blvd, Wichita, Kansas 67210.
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Dear Steve and Michaela, It’s hard to express what I feel today after reading Joan’s obituary. She was such an amazing lady. I was so fortunate to know her and enjoy our times together while we lived in Derby, KS, years ago. Our sons, Regan and Steve, were the best of friends and Joan and I enjoyed watching those boys go through the daily adventures that two, very creative, young boys can think of. Joan and Berlin were just wonderful influences on Regan. We had just moved to town and didn’t know anyone. My mother had just died and I was having a hard time in a new town, with no friends and dealing with her loss. Joan was just wonderful. She was always coming over or inviting me and Brad and Ryan over too to swim with her and Steve and Regan. I loved her positive attitute and zest for life. She was very creative and her home so tastfully decorated. I don’t think there was anything she couldn’t do. I learned so much from her. I will always remember the loss of Berlin. His death so hard to accept. His family needed him so. Joan was amazing. Through her tears, she kept going and with a heart that was broken, she remained strong for her family. She was a totally amazing woman. After moving to El Dorado, in 1978, we saw less and less of each other. Life gets that way unfortunately. We get busy and loose track of friends. I’m sorry to say that is what happend to me and Joan. I was blessed to have had Joan come into my life and be her friend. My sympathy to you Steve and Michaela. Both of you and Cindy were your mother’s greatest joys. You brought her so much happiness and she was so proud of you! And I’m thinking now, Joan and Berlin, together again!!! Love, Jann Ziegler
May the Father of tender mercies, the God of all Comfort, comfort the family and friends during this time of deep sorrow. I am sorry to read about the passing of your love one. I send my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy. When the enemy death strikes our grief can be great. It is at times like this that we need comfort, support, and questions answered whether we are acquainted or not. May you find comfort in the many promises recorded in Gods word the Bible, which does not lead to disappointment. One such promise is found at John 5: 28 & 29: ‘Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out’ Our Heavenly Father through his Son Christ Jesus has promised to bring back our dearly beloved ones by means of the resurrection. Where? Christ Jesus answers that question also: ‘Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.’ A beautiful Paradise earth; Gods original purpose for mankind. What a grand union that will be! You and I have the prospects of seeing and being with our love ones forever, as outline in Gods words the Bible. ‘This means everlasting life their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ .’ In the near future, your mourning will come to a completion as you welcome back your dearly beloved one. All of Gods promises will come true, because it is impossible for Almighty God Jehovah to lie. Once again, you have my sincere condolences. Please read the cited scriptures in your personal copy of the Bible. – Psalms 37:29, Luke 23:43, John 17:3, Titus 1:2. For additional information concerning this subject visit http://www.watchtower.org
Dear Michaela and Steve and family, I want to offer my condolences and heartfelt prayers for your Mother and for you. I enjoyed my visits with her as I walked my dogs around the lake at Waltanna. She was a fun person and her love for animals made us an instant bond. I hope you find comfort knowing she made a mark on this world. God love you. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Judy Harvey
I met Joan when I was in kindergarden. Apparently I had been picking on her son , Steve. She thought the best way to stop that was by inviting me over to thier house in Derby,KS in 1975. Steve and I became best freinds for the next seven or eight years. Even after I had moved to El Dorado in the third grade. Berlin Hammer tought me to swim. He also built steve and I’s first treehouse. We later added two stories to that treehouse and swam in the pool daily. Joan always treated me like a son. She talked to me like I was an adult. She and I were actually freinds,even though I was very young. She was very comical, at times, trying to keep up with Steve and I’s antics. I remember her always repremanding Steve for something, and then looking at me rolling her eyes and laughing it off. We picked cherry’s out of the backyard , went on vacation , once or twice, and she was always there to make Steve and I her top priority. I’m lucky to have known her. Regan Ziegler(childhood friend of Steve) Nashville, TN 615-474-3091
Dear Mikie and Stevie-B Your darling mother, my dear friend, neighbor, confidant and second mother will be celebrated tomorrow by many. She contributed so much to all of us with her sense of humor and ability to be unflappable under any circumstance. She raised three children of her own and many, many others as she made life a wonder for students in the Wichita Public Schools through her personalized libraries. Joan and Cindy were the first persons I met in Waltanna. We shared many happy and some sad times in the twenty years. On a Sunday morning, several years ago, she discovered the first Lake Waltanna Armadillo in her driveway. One summer we spent an afternoon on a paddleboat on Horseshoe Lake while our husbands heckled us from shore about our boating and navigational skills. I will miss our 5:30 a.m. coffee time and our evening glass of wine. I heard her garage door go up yesterday and stopped to see what she was up to. That is when I cried. I know she is at peace and in good company: Berlin, Cindy, her parents and Earl. The Lord made a wonderful lady and loaned her to us for seventy-five years. I love you Joan.