By HDN Staff
MALTA Howard W. "Swede" Hammond, 83, a World War II veteran, teacher and former Montana state senator, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at his home of natural causes.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Malta Lutheran Church with burial in the Malta Cemetery with Masonic and Veterans Honors.
Howard was born on Nov. 15, 1917, in Westby to Jens and Ella Hammond. He attended school in Whitewater. He received a teaching degree from Northern Montana College and his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Montana.
He married Ella Dees of Kremlin on Dec. 28, 1941.
Howard began his teaching and coaching career in Bainville in 1939, he then taught and coached in Kremlin for six years. In 1946, Howard and Ella began farming and ranching north of Whitewater, and they spent their summers working on the farm. In 1979, he retired from Big Sandy High School after 27 years of teaching, coaching and administration. Howard's teaching career was interrupted by his service in the Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot during World War II. He flew in 33 bombing missions and was shot down three times. He had achieved the rank of captain when he was discharged. In 1979, Howard and his wife Ella moved to Malta to be closer to their children and grandchildren. One year later he was elected to the Montana Senate and served for 12 years. In 1984 he was inducted into the Montana High School Association Coaches Hall of Fame.
Howard has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, serving on many committees and the Church Council. He has been an active member of the Big Sandy Masonic Lodge, The Malta Shrine Club, Rotary Club, American Legion and the VFW of Malta. Howard has enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in all sports and school activities as well as helping his children with their family farms. Howard was a lifelong public servant with a special interest in helping young people excel.
He was preceded in death by his father Jens Hammond on Nov. 15, 1918 (his first birthday); his stepfather, Alvin Olsen and his mother Ella Olsen.
Survivors include his wife Ella Hammond; sons, Mike Hammond and his wife, Debbie, of Whitewater, Howard Hammond and his wife, JoAnn, of Whitewater, daughter Patty Anderson of Whitewater; brothers, R.A. Olsen and his wife, Catherine, of Ann Arbor, Mich., Milton "Swede" Olsen and his wife, Marjorie, of Whitewater; sister, Beverly Haugen of Kremlin; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.
