Janice "Jan" C. Hammer

Janice “Jan” C. Hammer, age 85, of Alexandria, died on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Grand Arbor.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, December 22, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Pastor Julé Ballinger officiating. Music is provided by pianist, Randy Morken. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Alexandria.

Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude with a prayer service at 5 p.m., on Sunday, December 21st, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Janice Cora was born on May 25, 1940, to Selmer and Edna (Marsh) Tollefson in Webster, South Dakota. The second of two girls, she was raised with her sister on the family farm. She attended country school and graduated from Summit High School in 1958. After a chance meeting at a dance hall in Sisseton, Janice married the love of her life, Verle Hammer, on June 29, 1958, at Summit Lutheran Church in Summit. Verle and Jan began their married life in Watertown, where she worked at Ben Franklin, and they later moved to Cresbard. When they welcomed their first child, Janice devoted herself to being a mother and raising their family at home. In 1971, Janice and Verle moved to Hoffman, Minnesota, where she was active in her children’s activities, school events, and the community. She served on the board of directors at Farmers State Bank, where Verle was president, and was involved in their church home, Zion Lutheran Church. Known for her cooking and baking, she often shared cookies and treats with neighbors and friends, especially at their regular coffee gatherings. After retiring, Janice and Verle moved to their lake home on Maple Lake in the Alexandria area and became members of First Lutheran Church. They enjoyed spending winters in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Janice cherished being a grandmother, faithfully following her grandchildren’s sports and school activities, and especially loved hosting them at the lake. After Verle’s passing in 2021, Janice remained independent and stayed as active as she was able, supported by her family, her friends and longtime neighbors, Ginger and Stephen. She enjoyed the card game golf, puzzles, and earlier in life, snowmobiling with Verle and friends. Jan was also an avid Minnesota sports fan and faithfully followed them on TV. She leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness to her family and all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Verle.

Jan is survived by her son, Kevin (Kristi) Hammer of Hoffman; two daughters, Karla (John) Lankas and Kathy (Mike) Schauer both of Lakeville; sister, Carol Forman; Verle’s sister and brother-in-law, LeAnn (Don) Juenemann; seven grandchildren, Tyler (Kala) Krump, Allysa (Mike) Anderson, Christian (Ally) Hammer, Kelsey (Brady) Combs, Grace Lankas, Joe Schauer, and Jacob Schauer; eight great-grandchildren, Emersyn and Lennox Krump, Rhett and Holt Anderson, Griffin and Everett Hammer, and Maci and Bodi Combs; along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Serving as casket bearers will be her grandchildren.