Joseph A. “Joe” Hamm

Joseph A. “Joe” Hamm, age 91, of Blueberry Road, Town of Saukville, Wis., peacefully passed away Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at home with his family at his side.

He was born on the family farm on Sept. 14, 1932, to John Steven and Theresa Waas Hamm.

Joe attended St. Rose of Lima parochial school.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.

On July 16, 1960, Joe married Betty Jane Schinker of the Town of Port Washington at St. Mary’s Church in Port Washington.

Together they continued to operate the family dairy farm along with Joe’s brother Bill. The farm is still run by some of their sons.

During the 1970s and ’80s, Joe partnered with his brother Bill with Fredonia Sand and Gravel business. He worked as a welder at Simplicity Manufacturing in Port Washington for a bit and provided locksmith and tool sharpening services from the farm.

Joe joined Ozark National Life Insurance and the Pioneer Funds Group, helping others with their insurance and investment needs.

He was a man of faith. Joe attended Mass regularly. When his declining health prevented him from attending in person, he participated in Mass on television and received the Eucharist often.

Joe’s family was most important to him.  His children, grandchildren and the new great-grandchildren were most precious.

He enjoyed helping around the farm, fixing machinery and tending to his garden.

Joe and the family have been long standing members of the National Farmers Organization, along with many other farm support organizations.

He was also a member of the Warren Kane American Legion Post 410 of Fredonia.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Betty Jane; his children Theresa “Teri” (Scott) Hollrith of  the Town of Grafton, Bill (Cathy) Hamm of Fredonia, Deb Hamm of Holy Cross, Don (Diane) Hamm of the Town of Saukville, Jane (David) Robinson of Fredonia, Rick Hamm of Town of Saukville and Randy (Mary) Hamm of Fredonia; 21 grandchildren, Krista (Tom), Emily, Will, James, Josh, Shawn (Kadee), Jeni, Mary (Adam), Emily (Charlie), Joe (Amber), Holly (Micah), Caryn, Heather, Josie, Miah, Jared, Nicholas (Hannah), Kayla, Bret, Luke and Mariah; his great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Judy (Gerry) Burmesch and Lucy (Jim) Myers; brothers-in-law Howard Schinker and Robert (Margie) Schinker; sister-in-law Mary Jo Schinker; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his sons Joseph and John, his sister Rosalie “Sally” VerPlancke and her husband Nelson, his brothers George and his wife Olive and William “Bill” Hamm and grandson Alan.

We celebrated Joe’s life with a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Divine Savior Parish, St. Rose of Lima Church, in Fredonia, Wis. The Rev. Neil Zinthefer was the celebrant.

Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Fredonia with military honors.

Memorials to  Divine Savior Parish and School  are appreciated.

Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, Port Washington, Wis., assisted the family.

Condolences are available at www.poolefh.com.