Keith Hammen

1937 - 2025

Keith Hammen

September 15, 1937 - July 23, 2025

Liberty, Mo. - Keith Hammen, 87, formerly of Muscatine, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at Saint Mary and Mathias Catholic Church, 215 W 8th Street, Muscatine, Iowa, on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Lemkau, Bill Fletcher, Dick Vaughn, Sharon Martin, and Jim Henderson. Officiant will be Father Bud Grant. Burial with military honors to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, 1205 Logan Street at 11 a.m. A time of food and fellowship will be at Gannon Hall following the committal service. Details are being coordinated by Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, 1931 Houser Street, Muscatine, IA 52761. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Keith was born on September 15, 1937, in Harper, Iowa, to Albert and Theresa (Weber) Hammen. Growing up on the farm, Keith developed his love of tinkering and his dedicated work ethic. After graduating from St. Elizabeth's Catholic High School in 1955, Keith served in the US Army, then worked for the Natural Gas Company in Harper, Iowa, for five years. Starting in 1962, until his retirement in 1993, Keith worked in various capacities moving up the ladder at the Monsanto Company in Muscatine.

As a young man, Keith met and courted his loving wife, Mary (Wasko) Hammen, whom he married on September 29, 1962, and moved to Muscatine where they started their family. A life-long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Hammen family enjoyed many trips to watch the redbirds, instilling the same devotion to the team in his children and grandchildren. After retiring, Keith and Mary enjoyed traveling and making memories from friends and family. During the summer months, you could find Keith taking pride in his garden, always wanting to have the first ripe tomato, while enjoying the great outdoors. When not in his garden, Keith loved to spend time in his garage workshop, always having a project to do.

Keith will be greatly missed by his children, Joe Hammen and wife, Amy of Urbandale, Iowa; Jim Hammen and wife, Leslie of Kearney, Mo.; and Jeanne Turner and husband, Jim of Marion, Iowa.

His spirit will also be cherished by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Parker Hammen and wife, Molly (Leah); Clayton Hammen and wife, Ashley (Allan), Taylor Adams and husband, Chase (Nathan and Chloe), and Dalton Hammen. Keith is also survived by his dear nieces, Becky Frederick and family, and Cindy Welter and family.

He was preceded in death by his soulmate of 56 years, Mary; his parents, Albert and Theresa Hammen; three sisters, Eileen Hammen, Virgina Chamberlain, and Jeanette Besser; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Gottner; brothers-in-law, Bill Besser, Jerry Gottner, and Jim Wasko; great-granddaughter, Halle Hammen; and great-grandson, Nolan Hammen.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Elevate Hospice, 2311 Redwood Ave. Suite A, Independence MO 64057 or Ss. Mary and Mathias Catholic Church.