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07/11/2016 - Frances Kammerer Locker
Funeral services for Frances E. Kammerer Locker, age 96, of Crawford, NE, will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Crawford, NE.
Burial at the Crawford Cemetery with Pastor Tim McCrary officiating.
A memorial has been established for the Crawford Rural Fire Department building fund. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE69337.
Online condolences can be sent to www.chamberlainchapel.com.
Frances Kammerer Locker passed away on July 8, 2016 at Chadron Community Hospital. She had resided the last year and a half of her life at Ponderosa Villa Assisted Living in Crawford, NE.
She was born July 6, 1920 to Paul and Mabel (McHenry) Hamaker at their homestead in Sioux County, NE. Due to poor road conditions, the doctor was unable to make the 20 mile trip, so she was delivered at their home, assisted by two neighbors. Frances was the middle child of seven.
When she was a year old, the family moved to a ranch that was owned by her grandfather (RSQ Hamaker), located 10 miles south of Crawford, NE, near Belmont. She attended school at Belmont through the 10th grade and completed her education at Crawford High School, graduating in 1938. As a child on the ranch, one of her favorite times of the year was during potato harvest. Her dad would hire American Indian families to assist with the harvest. They would pitch their tents just outside the stock corral and live there throughout the harvest. The campfire smells and time together visiting with the families held fond memories for her.
After graduating, Frances lived with and worked for the Spence family who owned the Northwest Nebraska News. She gathered local news and sent statements to advertisers for a salary of $5 per week. She was then employed by the government earning $1,200 per year at Igloo, SD, where they were building underground storage units for ammunition for World War II, which was brewing at the time.
In 1941, Frances married Joe Kammerer. They had a farm/ranch operation for 23 years near Crawford, raising wheat, cattle and chickens. They retired and moved to Crawford in 1973, where she lived for the remainder of her life. During this time she was employed for a few years at Crawford Livestock as an office clerk.
Frances lost Joe in 1992, and a few years later (1996), met and married Jess Locker, until his death in 2004.
Frances loved her home and took a great deal of pride in maintaining a beautiful yard and flower garden. She was also very involved in her community serving on the District 100 School Board, Ponderosa Villa Board, Crawford City Cemetery Board, and as an active member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. Frances’ greatest joy was spending time with family and friends and her special companion, cat Precious. She was beloved by her whole family. One favorite family tradition was watching the 4th of July parade from her lawn, followed by a family picnic.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and Jess’s two daughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, sisters Pauline Fjelstad, Aline Dyer, Edna Soester, and Betty Ruffing, and brothers Paul (Bud) Hamaker and Jerry Hamaker.
Although Frances lived through the great depression, she always said she never felt underprivileged or deprived. She felt she lived a great life.
Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements for Frances E. Kammerer Locker.
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