Renae Gwen Hammerstrom

Renae G. Hammerstrom age 62 of Minneota, MN died Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at the Hospice House in Marshall, MN. Services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Lynd, MN. Visitation will also be held at the church from 5:00 until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. A luncheon will be served in the church immediately following the service. Interment will be in the Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, SD at 3:00 PM. The Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, MN is handling the arrangements. Renae Gwen Hammerstrom was born August 14, 1950 to Merle and Carol (Reed) Knutson in Flandreau, SD. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior as a child. She attended Arlington High School in Arlington, SD, graduating in 1968. She then attended Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, MN where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Education. While in college she worked part-time in the accounting department for Federated Insurance Company in Owatonna and then for a short time, as a Secretary at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL, before moving to Sioux Falls, SD. On April 5, 1975 Renae married Arden Hammerstrom in Oldham, SD and they made their home in Chancellor, SD for a short time. Over the years, Renae worked part time as a secretary and in bookkeepping for several companies, as they moved from Ellendale, ND to Oakes, ND, before settling in Minneota, MN in 1980. She then worked part time for PPG Industries in Marshall, MN. Recently, Renae worked for Berean Claim Service, in Marshall, MN. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marshall, MN and was active in the church women’s groups, taught Sunday School and served as a deaconess. Renae enjoyed sewing, gardening, baking, crafts, watching old classic movies, and “treasure hunting” at the Thrift Store. Recently her health made her a patient of the Hospice House in Marshall, MN, where she passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at the age of 62. Renae is survived by her husband, Arden Hammerstrom of Minneota, MN; three daughters, Ivy (Steve) Santopietro of Simpsonville, SC, April (Nate) Getz of Rapid City, SD, and Amanda (Luke) Hilgeman of Greer, SC; two grandchildren, Jana Violet and Sadie Mae; three sisters, Yvonne (Dave) Dobson of DeSmet, SD, Rae Harmel of Minneapolis, MN and Kris (Walt) Brown of Arlington, SD; one brother, Greg (Ivona) Knutson of Brookings, SD; nieces, nephews and many friends. Her parents, Merle and Carol preceded her in death. The family requests that memorials be given to either; Prairie Home Hospice of Marshall, MN or one of the following organizations: John McArthur Ministries, David Jeremiah Ministries, or Hal Lindsey Ministries.