Ernest 'Ernie' Henry Hammer, 78, of Hot Springs, SD passed away April 25, 2008 at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.

Ernest was born July 7, 1929 at home in Pringle, SD to Irene and Joseph Hammer. As a young boy he lived with his family in Pringle where he attended elementary school. The family later moved to Custer, the move offered a greater opportunity to be involved in new things. He attended high school, graduating in 1948. He was a member of the football team and began his career in the scouting program. He was honored with the award of an Eagle Scout in 1945.

In 1946 Ernie joined the South Dakota National Guard 200th Engineer Combat Company 196th Regiment. His unit was placed on active duty September 1. 1950. During his active duty time in the National Guard, he served with his two brothers Joe and Gene in Fort Carson, CO and then onto Fort Richardson, AK. He was honorably discharged from his military service in 1952. He then returned to Custer, SD.
On October 12, 1952 he married Mildred Sternhagen in Chadron, NE. They settled in Custer, SD where he became a father of two girls. In 1957 Ernie moved his family to Home on the Range, WY, later known as Jeffrey City. He worked in the uranium industry there until joining the Fremont County Sheriff Office in 1959. While in Wyoming Ernie was very involved in starting may community and civic organizations. Especially the scouting program. Ernie's family grew with the birth of two more children. In 1968 he moved his family to Gordon, NE where he worked as Director of the Community Action Program. Again, Ernie became very involved in many community programs and organizing new programs to assist children, lower income families and the elderly. Still continuing to work in the Scouting program there.

In 1970 Ernie moved his family to Hot Springs, SD, he and his wife owned and operated Ernie's Standard. He became very involved in several civic groups, city government and the Boy Scouts. After selling the business he worked remodeling the Century House. With the completion of the Century House he worked with Clover Leaf Construction removing railroad lines in northern South Dakota, He worked with the South Dakota Juvenile Correction Boys Camp east of Custer. In 1979 Ernie worked at the Veteran's Administration in Hot Springs as a Police officer and continued there until retiring in 1991.
After his retirement he spent may hours working in his shop, pursuing his love of wood working. He also spent many hours with pencil or calk, hand drawing and designing. He continued working many hours with the Masons, NAJA Shiners and the Boy Scouts. In 2006 Ernie was awarded the Silver Beaver Award. He was nominated by the Black Hills Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. He was given this honor for over 60 years of working with the Boy Scout program, and continued as director of the Scout Building Committee until September 2007. He felt so highly of the Scouting program that he attended numerous Scouting functions and camps with his son-in-law, son, grandsons and great grandson and functions with his daughters and granddaughters. Over his short life he was a mentor of many boys and girls, and young men and women.

For now all we need to do is ask "what would Dad do?" , the answer will come to use. His knowledge and wisdom will be truly missed by many.

Ernie is survived by his loving wife, Mildred; son, Michael (Della) Hammer of Mitchell, SD; three daughters, Diane Hammer of Hot Springs; Carmen (Tony) Coffield of Wheatland, WY; Bonnie (Scott) Duncan of Cheyenne, WY; three brothers, Marvin (Donna) Hammer of Hot Springs; Charles (Cathy) Hammer of Eugene, OR; James (Deb) Hammer of Pierre, SD; two sisters, Leona (Don) Harding of Hot Springs; Norma Jean Bennett of Albany, OR; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Ernie is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Irene Hammer; one infant sister, Evelyn; two brothers, Raymond 'Joe' and Martin 'Gene'.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with Masonic Rites beginning at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2008 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday with Chaplain Loyd Nielson and Pastor Peter Dahlberg officiating at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Interment will follow at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice Veterans' Home Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to benefit the Shriners' Transportation Fund.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs, SD. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.