Judith Darlene Hammer, 85, of Wild Horse went to her heavenly home to be with Jesus August 8, 2023, in her home in Wild Horse. She was born May 31, 1938, to Luther and Maxine Huntsman in Topeka, Kansas.

She graduated from Fountain High School in 1956. She was married to the love of her life, Ernest William Hammer August 25, 1957, at Free Methodist Church in Colorado Springs.

She worked for an insurance company in Fort Collins while Ernie attended college. Their first son, Tony, was born October 20, 1958, in Colorado Springs.  Andy, their second son was born May 17, 1963, and Kim, their daughter, was born October 15, 1964, also in Colorado Springs.  After Ernie graduated from college, they lived in Hanover Community where they worked on the family ranch.

After the big flood of 1965, they moved to Eckley for four years, then to Haxton, then moved to Moorefield, Nebraska, where Ernie taught at a Vo-Tech school. 

They moved to Twin Pine Ranch in Wyoming where Ernie was the foreman. Judy not only raised three children she grew a garden, cooked 3 meals a day for the single hired hands and lead music at the Wheatland Church of the Nazarene.  Judy had a beautiful soprano voice and sang specials in the churches they attended. She was a song leader for many years. Through the years of ranching, Judy was often working side by side with Ernie.

In 1977 after both their fathers passed away, Ernie and Judy returned to Hanover to run the family ranch east of Fountain. During these years, Judy worked with Ninetta Vette at the Fountain Car Auction. She was known for her delicious coconut cream pies. She would go to Colorado Springs every Friday to pick up her mom, and they would shop all day together. She loved finding bargains, and would find many bargains for her granddaughter, Emily.

Judy and Ernie enjoyed the many years of taking their grandchildren on summer trips, some of the places they ventured were Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, and the Great Sand Dunes.

In 1999, Ernie and Judy moved to Wild Horse, and have enjoyed the community and the many friends they have made. For 20 years the Hammers hosted an “end of the summer” party that was well attended by their many friends. The food and fellowship were great. Judy was a great hostess. There was live music, karaoke, bonfires, roasting hot dogs and smores.  Judy joined the Wild Horse Community Club not long after their move to Wild Horse. She learned to quilt from several of the ladies in the club and enjoyed spending time helping make quilts for people.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Steven Huntsman. 

She is survived by her husband, Ernie; sons, Tony (Brenda), and Andy (Teri); daughter, Kim (Jerry); grandchildren, Emily (Justin) Golding, Joshua (Chevaun) Hammer, Michael (Calcy) Jaquess, Jacob (Abbey) Hammer, Lauren Jaquess, Emily Dolan, Jeremy Jaquess, Leah Hammer, and Karlene Butler; great grandchildren, Tressie and Gunner Golding, Ellie Mae and Oliver Hammer, Elidi Jaquess, Hazel, Jack and Otto Jaquess, Cole, Bailey, and Luke Hammer, and Savannah and Lucas Dolan; and siblings, Joan Cannon, John Huntsman, and Stanley Huntsman.

Funeral services were held August 15, 2023, at Praise Community Church in Eads. Burial followed at the Wild Horse Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Praise Community Church, PO Box 391, Eads, CO 81036 or Cheyenne County EMS.

Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.