Franklin J. Hammrich

Mass of Christian Burial for Franklin Hammrich will be 10:30 A.M. Friday. July 7, 2023, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Ipswich, SD with Fr. Timothy Cone serving as Celebrant.  Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery with Military Rites.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. followed by a Liturgical Wake Service with Rosary at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Holy Cross Catholic Church.  Visitation continues at 9:30 AM on Friday at the church.

Franklin Joseph Hammrich was born March 20, 1933, to Frank and Marion (Tuscher) Hammrich in Fountain Township in the back of a wagon as his family moved from one farm to another.

Franklin was number 10 of thirteen brothers and sisters.  He attended country schools and completed the eighth grade. Franklin started farming at the age of 14, after his father Frank passed away. He served in the U.S. Army, was an expert marksman, and was stationed in German from March of 1956 to December of 1957. Franklin lived on the family farm that he grew up on until his passing.

Franklin married Nancy Geditz on June 20, 1964, and they had two children, Marion and Dana. They just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this year.

Franklin was a quiet man who enjoyed spending his time with his wife, children and extended family and working his farm.  Franklin had a way about him that made people feel comfortable and relaxed, he could strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere.  He liked to tease, joke and pull tricks on family and friends.  Franklin was a talented mechanic, known to neighbors as “Tinker” because he fixed all his own farm equipment when he had breakdowns.  Franklin also did all his own veterinarian work.  Many times, he would leave his own work to assist a neighbor with equipment repairs or help work cattle. Work was his favorite pass time.

Franklin was the photographer of Hammrich’s Photography for 30 years.  He took pictures of so many people, who right up until his passing on Thursday stopped to tell him and Nancy how they came to their studio and had graduation pictures and how they remember how much fun they had and how Franklin made them feel so comfortable.

Franklin was most proud of his granddaughter Bailey Heintzman.  In the last 10 years, he was most interested in spending time with Bailey, wanting to know all about her day when she came to his house on the bus after school and sharing snacks with her.  He always asked her to play her violin for him.  His request was always Amazing Grace, and he would ask her to play it over and over again.

Celebrating his life are his wife Nancy of Ipswich, daughter and son-in-law Marion and Jay Heintzman and granddaughter Bailey, of Ipswich. Sister, Marion (Gilbert) Peterson of Longmont CO, brother Eugene (Norma) Hammrich, Ipswich, sister Helenmae Hammrich of Aberdeen, sister-in-law Betty (Larry) Ellwein, sister-in law, Inez Hatley, Aberdeen, brother-in-law J.W. Geditz of Washington, sister-in-law Mary (Joe, deceased)Geditz and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Frank and Marion Hammrich, his son Dana Hammrich, nine siblings and their spouses, Ernest and Pauline Hammrich, Caroline and John Armstrong, Sally and Johnny Heilman, Dorothy and Leonard Gisi, Rita and Elton Herman, Vernon Hammrich, Florence Hammrich, Martin Hammrich, and infant sister Dorothy.

Franklin was fondly referred to as “Cowboy” by family and friends.  Franklin often would be seen praying during his day, and as he would say, “thank you Lord for all your blessings on me”. Franklin never left the house without saying I love you.

He was the last cowboy.

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