Clarice Mae Hamer

Clarice Mae (Edal) Hamer, 93, of Longview, passed away peacefully on August 13th, 2025, surrounded by the family she so fiercely loved.

Born on September 8, 1931, in Noonan, North Dakota, to Claire and Mabel Edal, Clarice grew up with a sharp wit, a kind heart, and an unmatched ability to make anything feel fancy.

She married the love of her life, James Arden Hamer, on August 11, 1950, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longview, and together they raised four children.

Clarice co-founded and owned the Scandia North Deli with a friend, where people still crave her famous sandwiches and remember her generosity. She was a loyal friend, a memory-maker, and the matriarch of the beautiful family she created.

She is survived by her two sisters, Judy Dean and Lois Hoch; her four children: Cheryl Cole (Terry), James Hamer (Pam), Melanie Skreen (Jon), and Lori Mahon (Bill); her grandchildren: Kyle Cole, Jarrett Skreen, BriAnne Skreen, Heather Youngker, Kelli Hoffman, Angela Kingston, Clarissa Mahon, Shawnell McCown, and Jaimie Stanton; and twenty great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Hamer; parents, Claire and Mabel Edal; brother, LeRoy Edal; grandson, Cory Cole; and great-grandson Ryan Cole.

James Arden Hamer:

James Arden Hamer, of Longview, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2023, in Sun City West, Arizona.

He was born on December 15, 1930 in Campbell, Nebraska, to Thomas Hamer and Sarah Evelyn (Reichstein) Hamer. James moved to Longview as a child, where he attended R.A. Long High School and graduated in 1949.

On August 11, 1950, James married the love of his life, Clarice Mae Edal, and together they raised four children: Cheryl, James, Melanie, and Lori.

In his younger years, he worked at M&M Plywood. In 1957, he moved his family to Southern California to pursue his love for the electrical field. In 1968, he moved his family back to Kelso and, shortly after, in 1971, started his own business, Hamer Electric. He spearheaded the business until 2002, when he sold it to his son James, and his sons-in-law, Terry and Jon. James loved helping others and not only gave back to his community but also traveled overseas to build churches. He loved his Sunday drives and his road trips, but his family was always where his heart was.

He is survived by his wife, Clarice (at the time of his passing); sister, Betty June Carl; his four children: Cheryl Cole (Terry), James Hamer (Pam), Melanie Skreen (Jon), and Lori Mahon (Bill); and his grandchildren: Kyle Cole, Jarrett Skreen, BriAnne Skreen, Heather Youngker, Kelli Hoffman, Angela Kingston, Clarissa Mahon, Shawnell McCown, and Jaimie Stanton, along with twenty great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas & Evelyn; brothers, Thomas, Monte Gene, Maurice, and Winston; grandson Cory Cole; and great-grandson Ryan Cole.

We will celebrate both James’s and Clarice’s lives on October 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Kelso Christian Assembly, where we will have a final tea party in their honor. We invite you to honor Clarice’s legacy by wearing cheerful, colorful attire rather than customary black.

Donations may be made to the Humane Society.