Sam Hamre

Sam Hamre, age 71, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Friday (December 6th) at Essentia Hospital in Fosston, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday (December 11th) at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with the Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday (December 10th) at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine. Family will also greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com. Samuel Albert Hamre was born on September 19, 1942 on the family farm in Lessor Township, rural Erskine, Minnesota to parents Bennie and Mabel Hamre. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine and graduated from Erskine High School in 1960. Sam then took over the farm at the age of 18 with the help and trust of Oscar and Gale Larson. Sam was united in marriage to Clara Lee Pease on October 19, 1968 at Grace Lutheran Church. After their marriage, they lived on the family farm and raised their three girls, Carla, Carrie, and Samantha. Sam was a grain and dairy farmer until 1975 when he sold the dairy cows and added beef cattle. He continued to farm until his retirement in 2004 at which time he had successfully grown his farm to over 3,000 acres. Though he retired, he continued his love of farming by helping Philip, Andrew and Peter Quam with whom he rented his cherished land to. He was a life-long member of Grace Lutheran Church and was active in the community through the years, serving as a member of the Erskine School Board and on the Pioneer Memorial Care Center Board. Sam enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, deer hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, and in his later years, gardening with his brothers Don and Bud and nephew David. He took great pride in keeping the garden meticulous and sharing their produce with family and friends. Sam had a deep love of the land, farming and family; he was more than just a farmer but a caregiver. Much of this care was done on his beloved 80 John Deere tractor. Sam was a fair, honest, kind, and trustworthy person who always had time for everybody. He helped many get started in life and could always be counted on for humor, support and good advice. He will be dearly missed here on earth, but God gained a Farmer Angel in Heaven. Sam is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Clara of Erskine; three daughters, Carla (Jim) Ferden of McIntosh, MN, Carrie (Kenny) Lunsetter of Gatzke, MN, and Samantha Berberich of Plummer, MN; grandchildren, Emily and Micah Ferden; Gracie and Mollie Lunsetter; and Megan and Taylor Berberich; siblings, Don (Bev) Hamre, Leroy "Bud" Hamre, and Bennett (Janet) Hamre, all of Erskine, Marlys (Eivand) Lindseth of McIntosh, and Elaine (Mitch) Olson of Pelican Rapids, MN; and sister-in-law, Shirley Hamre of Wadena, MN. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Eugene and Byron Hamre; and sisters-in-law, Amy and Milly Hamre. He is also preceded by his pal and walking partner Harley.God Bless you Dad. We love you.