Douglas Hamann

Doug Hamann, 37, of Jefferson passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at St. Anthony’s Regional Medical Center in Carroll.

Visitation began Tuesday, Feb. 16 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.  A Vigil Service followed at 7:00 p.m.  A Service of Remembrance was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson with Father Jeff Schleisman providing the words of comfort.  Readers were Michael Carey and Kelly Hamann.  Gift bearers were Doug’s nephews and nieces: Tate Carey, Tiffanie Carey, Trevor Carey, Kirk Hamann and Hannah Hamann.  Music was performed by vocalist, Laura Rollefson.  Honorary bearers were his children: Blake, Broc, Britleigh, Bellah, Brystol and Brynley and his nieces and nephews: Tate Carey, Tiffanie Carey, Trevor Carey, Kirk Hamann, Hannah Hamann, Sophia Dwinell and Jayden Aldrich.  Casket bearers were Brett Cranston, Jeffrey Wahl, Chuck Silbaugh, Charles Aldrich, Dustin Ackerman and Courtney Lauffer.  Interment was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Jefferson with a time of fellowship and refreshments at St. Joseph’s Parish Center following the committal service.

Douglas John Hamann was born August 2, 1978 in Jefferson, Iowa.  He was welcomed into the world by his parents, Kenny and Maureen (Gymer) Hamann, older brother, David and sister, Dawn.  Doug attended Jefferson-Scranton Schools and graduated in 1997.  He went on to attend Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge where he received a certificate from the carpentry program.  Following college, Doug worked for Dan Keasey Construction in Jefferson, with many other jobs.

In December of 1999, Doug was diagnosed with a heart condition called cardiomyopathy.  Doug endured life on a heart pump for some time prior to receiving his miracle heart transplant on October 10, 2001.  In August of 2004, Doug began dating Lisa Aldrich.  Lisa and her son, Blake, later moved in with Doug and his mom, Maureen.  Doug, Lisa and Blake would be joined over time by Broc, Britleigh, Bellah, Brystol and Brynley.

Growing up in Jefferson as a child, Doug enjoyed his time playing baseball in the Jefferson Little League and playing flag football.  Also, he loved playing a round of golf with his family on Sunday mornings.  Some of Doug’s fondest childhood memories were made while spending time with Grandpa George and Grandma Lydia. Doug also loved the bond he had with his Grandpa Orval Hamann, who lived in Newell, Iowa.  Grandpa Hamann always brought something for the grandkids when he arrived in his shiny pickups and sporting his striped bibbed overalls!

Doug has been a great father to all six of his children.  As his two boys, Blake and Broc, competed in basketball, football and wrestling, Doug was their number one coach and fan on the field or mat.  When he was not cheering on the boys, Doug loved family time with his four girls and Lisa. He also had many hobbies. He enjoyed watching his Iowa Hawkeyes.  Doug loved grilling and cooking for his family and friends.  In the summertime, he would invite almost the whole town of Jefferson over to grill out and have bonfires with them.  Doug loved racing.  He was a big NASCAR fan.  Doug loved to also keep track of what was happening on IMCA racing and monitoring “whowonracing.com”.  He had a big dream of driving and owning his own race car.

At the time of his passing, Doug was employed at West Central Co-op in Ralston in the soy processing facility.  Doug enjoyed his work and those who worked with him.  He was devoted to balancing his work schedule so he could enjoy his family and attend the kids’ activities.  Doug is loved and will be missed by a lot of people.  He is a big, shining, bright star in the sky, where we will all look up and see him shining down on us.  “We love you to the moon and back, Doug.”

Doug is survived by fiancée and mother to his children, Lisa; children: Blake, Broc, Britleigh, Bellah, Brystol and Brynley; brother David (Kelly) Hamann; sister Dawn (Michael) Carey; nephews and nieces: Kirk and Hannah Hamann and Tate, Tiffanie and Trevor Carey.  Doug was preceded in death by his father, Kenny, who died in 1994; mother, Maureen, who died in 2010; his grandparents George and Lydia Gymer, and Orval and Macyl Hamann; and his two cousins, Scott and Rodney Dimig.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Doug’s name has been set up at Home State Bank, 115 W. State St., Jefferson, IA 50129.  Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, (515) 386-2171.