Lee Hammer

Lee Hammer passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, at Sunnyview Care Center in Ankeny, IA surrounded by his family.
Lee was born on February 27, 1952, in Fort Dodge to Darwin and Bonny Hammer, one of four children. He grew up in Fort Dodge, where he attended Corpus Christi Elementary School and St. Edmonds High School, graduating in 1970. After high school, he went to Iowa Central Community College for two years, then to Iowa State University, where he graduated in 1975 with a degree in Industrial Administration.
Prior to his senior year at Iowa State, he married Shari Myers on June 8, 1973. After he graduated from ISU, he was employed by the Iowa Department of Transportation as a Purchasing Agent. Throughout his 37 years at the DOT, he worked in various departments. In his later years, he served as Director of Facilities and Support Services, retiring in 2013. Although the job had challenges, Lee always said he enjoyed his job and the many friendships he made with fellow employees. Lee and Shari lived in Ames for 40 years before moving to Ankeny in 2014. They raised their two daughters in Ames, and all were avid Cyclone fans.
Lee was a Pisces and loved being around water and water sports. He was a licensed scuba diver and an accomplished slalom water skier. He loved teaching others how to water ski any chance he got. He loved boating and riding jet skis. He spent a week in Canada with his "Fifth Degree" fishing buddies nearly every summer for 25 years.
Very close to his heart was the lake property he and Shari purchased in 1976. They built a small cabin on it in 1981 and then built around that cabin in 2007, making a nice lake home to enjoy in their retirement years.
Lee was a natural leader, and he served his community well. He belonged to St. Cecilia Church in Ames, where he served as the president of the Parish Council and Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He had been an Elk since he was a young man and served as the Grand Exalted Ruler. At Lake Belletaine, he served as president of the Belletaine Lake Association. Many treasured friendships were made from serving in these organizations throughout the years.
Lee was very proud of his family and loved spending time with them, especially at the lake. Lee's faith was a priority and he and Shari often attended daily mass together.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Darwin and Bonny Hammer; and his sister, Marcia Borer. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Shari, of Ankeny; his daughters, Licia Pettit (Tom) of Ankeny, and Lori Philbrook (Jay) of Roland; sisters, Barb Brown of Fort Dodge, and Jan Green (Tom) of Indianola; grandsons, Nick Philbrook, Tyler Philbrook and TJ Pettit; step grandchildren, Kyleigh and Henry; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church (1102 NW Weigel Dr., Ankeny) on Friday, May 9, 2025. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served following the Mass. A private interment for immediate family will be held at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.