Lee Lammers

Leo “Lee” Joseph Lammers, 93, of Miller, passed away on April 10, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller surrounded by family.

Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 2016 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant.  Burial followed at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Miller.  Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 15, 2016 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Lee was born the second of ten children to Joseph and Anna (Hardes) Lammers on October 24, 1922 on the home place in Hand County in Florence township. Lee attended school in Polo and spent his entire life ranching in Hand County. When his family moved to Sioux Falls in the late 1940’s and formed Lammers Beverage Company, Lee stayed in the Polo area and worked for area ranchers as a hired hand, knowing city life was not for him.

On January 16, 1952, Lee married Patricia Ann Weise and the two were able to return to Lee’s home ranch and raise their family of seven children there. After many happy years of marriage Pat passed away on May 19, 1996. Lee moved to the “city” (Miller), but still made sure he was available any time cows were worked.

After several years alone, Lee met Magdalen “Mac” Dailey and the two were married on December 9, 1999. They had four happy years together before Mac passed away in 2003.

Lee had many fond memories of his family, friends, and neighbors and on a good Sunday, his kids would try to pry stories of his childhood out of him. He was passionate about improving his cattle bloodlines, breaking horses, and sitting many hours in the early mornings listening to the news and markets with pages and pages of figures to try to make the best better. Lee loved dancing, spending time with his family, and especially his grandchildren. The grandchildren reciprocated this love and constantly fought over who got to ride along with grandpa when moving cows.

Lee is survived by his children: Duane (Rose) Lammers, Manitoba, Canada; Dan (Laurel) Lammers, Miller; Dave (Barb) Lammers, Jordan, MT; Ken (Sue) Lammers, Miller; Suzy (Luke) Wernsmann, Miller; Pam (Chuck) Hamlin, Highmore; and Jackie (Andy) Clemen, Aberdeen; step-children: Jean (Aaron) Dailey Jacobs, Joan (Lynn) Harvel, Janice Dailey, Pat (Mary) Dailey, Mike (Suzanne) Dailey, and Tim (Vicki) Dailey; siblings: Agnes Kolda, Mary McDermott, Betty Matthews, Jane Van Hove, Ellie Sabers, and Ed Lammers; grandchildren: Austin (Kimberly), Devin (Laura), and Alex Lammers; Libby (Ken) Jones, Emily Lammers; Amy (Mark) Zehms, Troy (Nikki), Bart, and Clay (Amanda) Lammers; Brady (Jaimi), Monty (Erin), and Kristi Lammers; Rusty and Kyle Wernsmann; Holly, Tierny, Tyann, and Hadley Hamlin; Levi and Amanda Clemen; 10 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Lee was preceded in death by: his parents; first wife, Patricia Lammers; second wife, Magadalen Dailey Lammers; and brothers: Paul Lammers, Mel Lammers, and Cal Lammers.