Gerald Allen “Jerry” Hammer, 82, of Kalispell passed away Sept. 10, 2016, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

Jerry was born Aug. 22, 1934, to George and Anna (Erickson) Hammer of Velva, North Dakota. He attended country schools and some high school before entering the work force at Verendrye Electric in Velva. He then went to work with Rosebud Construction, building power and telephone lines in South Dakota and Montana.

Jerry married Lillian Spilde of the Velva area on June 12, 1955. In November 1956 they moved to Malta, Montana, where he was employed by Big Flat Electric. Their two oldest children were born there.

In June 1959 the Hammers moved to the Kalispell area, where Jerry was employed by Flathead Electric. He was stationed in the West Glacier area, where he took care of the power lines from Hungry Horse to Essex and into Glacier Park. Jerry and Lillian’s third child was born here.

After Jerry retired, he and his wife spent many years traveling as snowbirds in their 5th wheel and were able to see much of the United States.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Lillian; his children, Audrey (Adrian) Valli of Canada, Greg (Karen) of Millington, Tennessee, and Kathy (Lance) Junjak of Kalispell; sisters, Lois Wunderlich of Velva, North Dakota, and Gail (Kevin) Lehmann of Springfield, Illinois; brother, Loren (Helen) of Velva, North Dakota; brothers-in-law Warren (Carol) Spilde of Towner, North Dakota, and Larry Spilde of Minot, North Dakota; many nieces, nephews and cousins; nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held for Jerry from 9-10 a.m. on Sept. 17 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell. Services will follow at 10am, followed by burial at Glacier Memorial Cemetery.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the Hammer family.