Ronald Duane Hamm

Ronald Duane Hamm

August 18, 1943 – February 18, 2024

Ronald Duane Hamm (Ron/Ronnie), our beloved Father, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 18th at the age of 80-1/2 years. He was surrounded by his daughters Lynn and Teresa Hamm. Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Sheryn, son, John, his great granddaughter Carly, his parents Virginia Grinde and Robert Hamm, and his brothers Don Monroe and Bernie Grinde. Dad never got to meet his Father as he died in the war just one month before he was born. I’d like to think that he has finally met him and that they are making up for lost time doing Dad and Son things. 

He is survived by his two daughters and grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Lynn Diskerud (granddaughter Jenna Urizar and husband Abel, great grandchildren AJ and Vanessa Romero, and grandson Tyler Ness); Teresa Hamm and son-in-law Jay Varone (granddaughter Melissa Lecy (Adam) and her twin great grandbabies Anara and Elias, grandson Kyle Lecy and his great grandchildren Declan and Luna, granddaughter Kristina Johnson (fiancé Dylan) and great grandchildren Jace and Silas and baby to be); and John's family (granddaughter Kati Richter and great grandchildren Macoy and Dylan Jr., and grandson Tommy Hamm (wife Becca and soon to be great granddaughter).

Dad was born in Warba, Minnesota and lived in Grand Rapids, Thief River Falls, Minneapolis and then our family home that him and Mom helped build in Soderville in 1976.  

Our Dad worked very hard to provide for his family and he was so young himself.  He had two and three jobs when we were little just to pay the bills and put food on the table so that Mom could take care of things at home. That work ethic continued throughout his life where he drove truck for a living. When he retired, he later drove a school bus part time for the Isanti School District. He really enjoyed the kids and the kids liked him in return.

Dad was always the one with the video camera rolling whenever we gathered for Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, and just day-to-day life and events. We are very thankful for the memories he made for us to continue to enjoy and share as we get older ourselves.

When Dad wasn’t working, he enjoyed raising bloodhounds with Mom. They sure loved their dogs. He always made sure that the lawn was taken care of so that they could enjoy it while they sat in their glider and watched the humming birds (we all loved sitting on that glider). He enjoyed visiting with neighbors and gathering around the dining room table for coffee and cigarettes. He helped fix our cars and changed our oil. He also enjoyed hanging out in the garage, oftentimes listening to country music, and drinking beer. He loved all of his grandchildren and being with them as they grew into young adults and had babies of their own. A fond memory many of them have is of them sitting with him on the lawn tractor while he mowed. 

Dad had Dementia and was a resident at White Pine Memory Care in Blaine these past four years. We thank the caregivers who provided wonderful care and support to him for us when we could not be there ourselves.

My sister said it best, it was a long goodbye and yet a sweet departure.  

Ron was a good man and he lived a good life!  He was a wonderful Father and was well liked throughout his lifetime.   

Your memory lives on with us and you remain forever in our hearts.