Leanne K. Hammer

Leanne K. Hammer

1956 – 2026

HOLSTEIN - Leanne K. Hammer, 69, of Holstein passed away on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at the Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD after sustaining a fall in her home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Holstein with the Pastor Kristin D. Boysen officiating. Burial will be at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein. A visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein. Memorials can be directed to the United Methodist Church of Holstein, Ida County 4-H Foundation, or the Cherokee Regional Hospice. The Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein is in charge of arrangements.

Leanne was born on Feb. 26, 1956 in Ida Grove to Ramon and Helen (Cranston) Johnson. She was raised on a farm outside of Holstein, growing up with her sister Joni and brother Randy. She was involved in a variety of activities. She enjoyed music where she played clarinet in the band and sang in swing choir, chorus and musicals. She was very active in 4-H from baking and sewing to showing cattle. She and her siblings participated in several shows a year which became an activity for the whole family, providing many fond memories. She was also involved in Rainbow and Cross of Colors. Leanne loved taking yearly family trips to places like the Black Hills and Rocky Mountains, swimming in the Ogallala Hot Springs, viewing the mountains across Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, staying on a dude ranch, and hiking near the national park entrance at Estes Park. 

Leanne graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1974. She then attended the University of Iowa, College of Nursing in Iowa City. After graduation, she worked in Cardiac Care at the University of Iowa Hospital. She moved back to the Holstein area in 1979. 

Leanne was united in marriage to Mick Hammer on May 31, 1980. Leanne was the method to Mick's madness, and she was always adding to the honey-do list to keep him busy. They were blessed with two daughters, Christy and Angie. Leanne was very involved in their activities and enjoyed spending time with family. She continued the tradition of taking family vacations with some favorites to Disney World, the Black Hills, Colorado, Disneyland and Atlanta. 

Leanne truly lived the life of a servant. She found joy in helping others in a variety of ways. She worked the majority of her career as Nurse Manager of Home Health, Hospice, and Public Health at Cherokee Regional Medical Center. A highlight was being chosen as one of 100 Great Iowa Nurses in 2008. Leanne retired from nursing in 2021.

Leanne remained active in 4-H throughout her life. She volunteered as a 4-H Leader for the Battle Badgers club for several years when her girls were members, served as the Treasurer for the Ida County 4-H Foundation, assisted with Clover Kids, and enjoyed helping her grandchildren with projects as they started 4-H. She was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame in 2024. 

Leanne was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Holstein. She served on several committees and was currently on the Board of Trustees. She volunteered to help with Bible School, made quilts for high school seniors, and recently worked on the committee that revitalized the church landscape. 

Gardening was always an important part of Leanne’s interests. Growing up on a farm and having two grandmothers that were gardeners laid the foundation for Leanne’s love of flowers, growing vegetables and canning. She completed the Master Gardener program and loved spending time in her various gardens, growing tulips and hydrangeas in the spring and lilies and vegetables in the summer and fall.

Leanne was an active member of the P.E.O. Chapter CB, a member of the Holstein American Legion Auxiliary, a listener in the elementary school reader program, wrote letters to her fourth grade pen pal, helped Kiwanis, supported the local food bank Community Basket, played mahjong with her friends, enjoyed antiquing, sewing, and quilting, and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. She was always busy and could be seen all over town walking with friends or her grandchildren. Her most loved pastime was spending time with her four grandchildren and attending their activities. Leanne and Mick dedicated their time providing child care originally in Iowa City, and later in Holstein. Leanne often stated how blessed they were to have both of their girls close by. Leanne was commonly found at dance competitions, sports fields, and gyms in the surrounding area cheering them on. 

Leanne was a cancer survivor and remained a person of service even in death as an organ donor. She was able to save three lives with vital organ donation and possibly several more with tissue donation. 

Leanne is survived by her daughters, Christy Hammer and Angie (Cody) Rasmus; father, Ramon (Ginny) Johnson; grandchildren, Lincoln (13), Paxton (11), Kenlin (8) and Annison (4) Rasmus; sister, Joni Carpenter; brother, Randy Johnson; sister-in-law, Marvel (Scott Hompland) Hammer; step-sister, Amy (Susan Smith) Adams; brother-in-law, Mark (Londa) Hammer; nieces, Molly (Alan) McCormack, Marissa Miller, Elsie Miller, and Tory Adams; and nephews, Logan Hammer and Tanner Adams, in addition to many cousins, extended family and friends. 

Leanne was preceded in death by her loving husband Mick, mother Helen (Cranston) Johnson, in-laws Ed and Rachel (Spotts) Hammer and many aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and friends.

Online condolences can be made at nicklasdjensenfh.com