Esther Hammer, 90, of Redfield, formerly of Mellette, SD, died Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield, SD. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Northwestern United Methodist Church in Mellette. Reverend Jon Damaska will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 20, 2012 from 1-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6-7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home, Redfield, SD. (www.thelenfuneralhome.com)

Esther Lavaughn Bell was born August 13, 1921, on a ranch south of Clark SD, to Alfred Howard Bell and Daisy Reme Messerole. With her parents and five siblings, Esther moved to Raymond at the age of five and attended school. Esther graduated from Raymond High School in 1939. November 14th, 1940, Esther was united in marriage to Charles Merrill Fischer. They made their home in Raymond, SD. On May 7th, 1942, they welcomed their first child into the world, Terry Morris. Five years later on November 11th, 1947, they had a daughter Mary Ann. In 1960, Merrill, Esther, Terry, and Mary moved to a farm just south of Mellette. There they made their living farming. Esther always took time for her grandkids. She kept busy with taking care of her home and cooking. Esther moved to Mellette after the passing of her husband Merrill on November 18th, 1978. Grandkids were always coming and going to her house since she lived right across the street from the school. She was active in the Mellette Senior Center, a 50 year member of the Eastern Star, and involved in the Gallup Community Club. Esther was a member of the United Methodist Church of Mellette. In June, 1982, Esther married Harold (Stubb) Hammer. They were only married a short time before Stubb passed away in May 1983. Esther enjoyed attending church on Sundays and spending time with her family and close friend Wilbur. She was always up for getting out or going shopping. In the fall of 2007, Esther moved to Redfield where she resided at the time of her passing. Esther will be missed by her family and remember for always saying, "I love my family," as you said goodbye when you visited her.

Esther is survived by her daughter Mary (Jerry) Zerbel of Mellette, and their children: Shelley (Kipp) Shanley of Warner and Camille (Randy) Kaul of Aberdeen; her daughter-in-law Mary Anne Hawkins-Fischer of Phoenix, AZ, and her children: Brad Fischer, Tami (Bradley Smith) Fischer both of Arizona and Tarra (Lindsay Robeson) Fischer of Mellette, ten great-grandchildren and her very special friend and companion Wilbur Pudwill.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Daisy, husband Charles and husband Harold, her son Terry and six siblings, Cecile, Cyril, Marvel, Bethene, Richard, and Dorothy.