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Penny L. Hammer

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Northern Illinois University

FUNERAL HOME

McDonald Funeral Home, Inc. - Rock Falls

1002 12th Avenue

Rock Falls, Illinois

Penny Hammer Obituary

Penny L. Hammer

Born: November 11, 1947; Galeburg

Died: January 12, 2021; Sterling

STERLING – Penny L. Hammer, age 73, of Sterling, died Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at her home with family by her side.

Penny was born November 11, 1947, in Galesburg, the daughter of Bill and Birdie (McGahey) Leitsch. She married Lynn Hammer on March 7, 1969 in Galesburg. Penny graduated from NIU with an MSP degree in 1991. She was employed as a speech pathologist at CGH Medical Center in Sterling for 29 years, retiring in 2020.

Penny loved family first of all. She treasured traveling with Lynn to visit their kids and grandchildren. She loved her job and all the people she was able to help. Besides family, she loved playing canasta and Mexican train dominoes with friends. She was considered the canasta core group queen. Penny touched countless lives. If you knew her, you loved her and if she knew you, she loved you. That may or may not have included a cup of coffee, but more than likely did.

She is survived by her husband; three children, Jenni Webb of Phoenix, Ariz., Jason (Kris) Hammer of Mukilteo, Wa. and Jayna (David) Bartelt of Sycamore; two sisters, Patty (Rick) Koestner of Peoria and Pam (Chris) Taylor of Chattanooga, Tenn; one brother-in-law, Joe Tuszynski of Galesburg; and eight grandchildren, Siena, Carrick and Kason Webb, Xavier, Grayden and Avery Hammer and Crewe and Camdyn Bartelt.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Peggy Tuszynski.

Cremation rites will be accorded. Due to COVID-19, services will not be scheduled at this time. A celebration of life will be planned this summer.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Gaffey Home Nursing and Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Sauk Valley News on Jan. 13, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Penny Hammer

Sponsored by McDonald Funeral Home, Inc. - Rock Falls.

23 Entries

Teri Duhigg Cherry

November 8, 2023

Mrs. Hammer was my home ec teacher freshman 1975 and sophomore year 1976 at NHS. She was my favorite teacher of all times. All through the years. I sure wish I was able to see her once again before her passing.

Jan Taylor

January 16, 2021

Lynn and family,

We were so saddened to hear of Penny's passing. She fought long and hard to stay healthy. The extra years you and your children and grandchildren had with her are so precious. She always had a smile on her face and was a genuinely nice person. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.

Jan and Patti Taylor

James Kent

January 16, 2021

Lynn, our whole family is saddened at the loss of Penny. We’ve all been connected for a long time. Victoria and I were also married in 1969 (just 3 months after you and Penny) and our children and yours attended High School together. We will keep t you and your family in our prayers. James & Victoria Kent

David Burnett

January 15, 2021

Sorry for your loss Mr. Hammer and family. I always enjoyed visiting with Penny at Kroger.

PAULA DRANE

January 14, 2021

In the 80's Penny was my aerobics instructor at West wood. Recently she was my instructor for Silver Sneakers at the Y. She was so kind, reassuring, and inspiring. I'm so sorry for your great loss,

Ron & Jackie Williams

January 14, 2021

So sorry to hear of the passing of Penny, You have our deepest sympathy. We remember the good times we had with you. Always loved and enjoyed our visits.
God Bless.

Edward Andersen

January 14, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Penny was a great person and a dedicated coworker.

Rita Pepper

January 14, 2021

So sorry to hear of the loss of Penny. She always had a smile on her face. We are sure that she left many good memories, cherish them.
Sending our condolences,
G. Joe and Rita Pepper

Doug Becknell

January 13, 2021

Penny was a caring speech professional who gave kind care to patients and was a true pleasure to work with. I feel so lucky to say she was my friend in exercise as well. We will miss you and never forget you. -Doug Becknell & Christie Nevenhoven

Dawn Schmall

January 13, 2021

I have done Penny's hair for yearssss! She was the most wonderful person I have met. The last time she called me she wondered if i could do her at my late appointment because she needed her new wig trimmed up so I stayed late of course so we would be the only ones here. When she came in and told me the news my heart broke. A few days later I recieved a card in the mail from her thanking me for all i have done for her over the years and threw a lot. I read that card and cried just her kind words as she always had. It was almost as she was saying goodbye and wanted me to know how much she appreciated me. Let me tell you i kept that card because people come into your life that are amazing and she is one of my favorites! ❤ I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear this news she was an amazing person as you all know! Always talked about her kids and grandkids she worshiped the ground you walk on and her husband the wonderful love they have. I am deeply sorry and sad

Kathy collinson

January 13, 2021

an angel now soaring high

kathy collinson

January 13, 2021

Penny you will be so missed. I am glad you were a friend and you helped me out with teaching SilverSneakers. One of the nicest people I knew. Ride high with the angels

Jeff Dyke

January 13, 2021

Len and family, my deepest sympathies. What a privilege to have had such a special lady as an integral part of the of the CGH rehab family. She was a loving and caring individual. Because of her passion, dedication, and willingness to share her wealth of knowledge with students and new therapists her excellence lives on in the speech department. I will miss my dear friend and colleague. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Judy Hall

January 12, 2021

I am so sorry for your family's loss. Penny was so sweet! I first met her years ago when our sons (both named Jason) played T-ball together. Then I had the pleasure of working at CGH with her. She will be sadly missed.

Mary Bennett

January 12, 2021

My deepest condolences to all the family. Penny was my Home EC teacher when I was a freshman at Newman high school 1969. Later on we would see each other at the Sterling football games when her son Jason played with my nephew Ryan Fortney. She was a beautiful lady inside and out.

Gary Germeraad

January 12, 2021

I was in the Army Reserve and I got Penny a Camo Stick, to paint your face and be camouflaged, for when she would be out in the backyard with Jason playing Army. My second memory was Penny's smile, especially at Christmas time at the annual donut gathering. Thanks Penny for the memories and you will be deeply missed.

Barb Kobbeman

January 12, 2021

What a lady. Knowing Penny for NHS and her son was in my daughters class at SHS. We never forgot the day I started going to her aerobics class at Westwood. She came over to me and sore I was her sister playing a joke on her. Supposedly resembled her sister

Mary Martin

January 12, 2021

RIP, Penny. You are graceful, caring, and a professional and wonderful Speech Language Pathologist. However her family was always number one to her. God Bless you, Hammers. She will be greatly missed.

Connie Glenn

January 12, 2021

What a beautiful woman inside and out. I first met Penny in 1981 at Westwood, she was my first exercise instructor and she was a huge influence on me. I eventually started teaching. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing, my condolences to your family. May she rest in peace. Heaven sure gained the best.

Christina Berry

January 12, 2021

Dear Lynn and family,
I'm so very sorry to hear of Penny's passing. She was a bright light shining in the lives of so many. Know that our prayers and love are with you all. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. They rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
Pastor Christina Berry and all your friends at First Presbyterian Church, Sterling.

Sharon Scuffham

January 12, 2021

Lynn and family. So sorry to hear about your loss. Hadn't heard that she was not doing good. She was a wonderful lady to work with, really enjoyed it. Hugs and prayers to you all. Sorry can't be there for you. We are in Florida till April. She will be missed.

Beth Van Helden

January 12, 2021

Some of my favorite childhood memories are at the Hammer house. There was so much fun and love in that house always. Penny was an amazing, loving and creative Mother and she always had a smile. Such warm and loving memories of her and your family. I will never forget manners class with Penny! She will be so missed.

Laura Hawk

January 12, 2021

So sorry to hear of Penny's passing. Enjoyed working with her. Such a caring person. Prayers for her family.

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results