RUTH HAMMER

RUTH HAMMER Sublette: Ruth Jean Hammer, 73, died January 6, 2025 at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado after a short and courageous fight with cancer. She was born on January 6, 1953 in Smith Center, the daughter of Fred and Mary Margaret "Marge" (Baker) Wachs. In the 6th grade, Ruth moved to Satanta with her parents and siblings. She graduated from Satanta High School with the class of 1971. On August 21, 1971, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Chris Hammer in Satanta. They recently celebrated 53 years of marriage. Ruth and Chris were blessed with three children, Michelle, Robert, and Casey. The family made their home on the farm until 1992, when Ruth and Chris moved to Sublette. Ruth was a lifelong learner. She went back to school and earned her Master's in Business Administration from Friends University. Ruth worked as a lab tech for Plaza Medical, as well as various other clinics in southwest Kansas. She was also an office manager for Edward Jones and an insurance agent for New York Life. Among her many interests, playing the role of Miss Kitty alongside Chris as Marshall Dillon, was something she greatly enjoyed. They did many functions for the Haskell County Historical Society and Boothill Casino. Family was extremely important to Ruth. She was devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren always attending as many activities as she could. Ruth was not only a great-grandma but she was a "GREAT" grandma! Ruth is survived by her husband Chris of Sublette; three children, Michelle Hammer and husband John Whitehead of Overbrook, Robert Hammer and wife Lauren of Albany, New York, and Casey Hammer and wife Shawntelle of Sublette; 10 grandchildren, Katie Koch, August Coates, Kristen Clark, Kalven, Kayla, Alex, Robert, Jr. and Mary Song Hammer, Raeghan and Samuil Hammer; six great grandchildren; two siblings, Calvin Wachs and wife Rainie of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Cindy Irwin of Clayton, New Mexico; and two sisters-in-law, Lavon Hale and husband Henry of Satanta and Kim Hitchings of Texhoma, Oklahoma. She is preceded in death by her parents, and two grandsons, J.T. Coates and Colton Koch. She will be missed dearly by all of her family and friends. Funeral service will be held at Sublette Christian Church on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM with Pastors Mark Dierking and David Erwin presiding. Burial will follow at Haskell County Cemetery, Sublette. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Sublette on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the family in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com