Eunice Hammel

Eunice Louise Hammel, 86, of Byron, died peacefully with her husband at her side on June 26, 2019 at Madonna Towers in Rochester. Eunice was born August 13, 1932 to Esther and Arnold Hampel at home on a farm in rural Eyota, MN. She attended parochial school in Elgin, Mn and graduated from Elgin High School in 1950 where she met the love of her life, Leo Hammel. On March 22, 1952 she and Leo were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin. She always enjoyed pointing out that when she married, she only changed her name by one letter. Eunice worked at the Worrall Hospital in Rochester, MN as a receptionist and "Girl Friday". She later joined her husband at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal army base in Denver, Colorado where he was stationed. Her son Steve was born at the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in 1954. Eunice and Leo moved back to Minnesota later that same year where they farmed and later ran a dairy operation near Zumbro Falls, MN. They had their second child, a daughter, Roxanne born in 1960. Eunice was a hard-working farm wife. She helped work in the fields driving tractor and cultivating corn while raising her children. She also baked pies and homemade bread and enjoyed sewing doll clothes. In 1971, Leo and Eunice moved to Rochester and she began working at AMPI/Pace Dairy Foods company where she was employed for over 20 years. Eunice has been a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Rochester for over 50 years. Her faith and love for her Lord has always been a priority in her life. She read her Bible daily and prayed for family and friends. Even in her last days, she said a daily prayer for her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, naming each one by name. Music also brought great joy to her life. She loved playing her accordion and considered herself a member of the "closet accordion players of America". She loved to play polkas, waltzes, old time songs and hymns. She and Leo spent many years traveling around the continental USA with their 5th wheel travel trailer. They loved the mountains and the beauty of nature. They traveled to and explored many national parks and loved camping in state parks along the way. For 25 years they spent every fall season in Brandon, MO. They enjoyed camping at Table Rock Lake and spending their days going to Silver Dollar City and many shows. Eunice loved her family with all her heart. She loved to spend time with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She was an extremely positive person and had many uplifting quips and quotes that she would always say to her family and friends. These quips became known to our family as, "Eunicisms". They will always make us smile and laugh and lift our spirits as will many memories of her kindness, wit and loving prayers for us all. Eunice was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Edwin. She is survived by her husband, Leo; her son, Steven (Kris) Hammel; Daughter, Roxanne (Chuck) Wait; Grandchildren, Todd (Kari) Hammel, Jason (Kori) Hammel, Peggy (Jeremy) Moran, Penny (Tim) Seifert, Kelly (Franz) Wait, Aaron (Megan) Wait; and great-grandchildren, Hailee, Carson, Jacob, Olivia, Maggie, June, Phoebe, Abbi, Anni, Abram, Amelia, Paige, and Owen. A Christian memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 4520 19th Ave NW Rochester with Pastor Stephen Meyer officiating. A lunch will immediately follow. Inurnment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Viola, MN. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2019 at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Resurrection Lutheran Church, Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Research or The Mayo Clinic Hospice Program. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Hammel family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com