Ernie Hammer is a long time Kiowa County Press contributor. This story is written by Ernie’s Aunt Liz, Elizabeth Katherine (Hammer) Smith Benatti, based on her memories and family research. The story begins in Germany with Oswald Hammer and Margarethe Marie von Barsewisch, Liz’s parents. Liz passed away at the age of 104. She was living at the Kohart Home in Kit Carson at the time of her death. Part 30 can be read here.

Ma’s Final Years (continued)

The days at the hospital passed by very pleasantly with the staff.  The new routines were so simple now with all the latest gadget assistants.  So the walker became a daily assistant for the long hall walks and even outdoors if the wind was not too strong and chilly.

The August day was mild with the autumn chill in the air.  And away went Liz’s Chevy with mother going home.  She turned for one more close look at Pikes Peak as they turned east on US 24.  The IH was her home now and she could only see far away Pikes Peak as a small blue hill to the western horizon.  She didn’t break into tears until one of the passengers said, “Are we going by way of Drennan Road?”  That meant that she would see the old home place close up, closer than ever, since she left that sad day.

Will unfolded the walker and helped her into her stucco cottage at the IH Ranch.  She didn’t like the changes, but she said only one comment because she knew there was lots of love there.  The brothers had fitted into the small kitchen a new gas range and a new comfort chair and others helped paint and clean the porch with a new and warmer look.

“Do you have so much money that you can spend it so expensively?” she chided.

Gertrude kept her habit of stopping by for a hot cup of tea each school day before she left to teach in either Hanover or Squirrel Creek schools.  Shortly after the holidays ended, Gertrude hurried across the yard and into the cottage.  But there was no mother waiting as usual.  She found mother in bed, staring with one eye, left hand waving.  She tried to question her mother but nothing.

Will, in his pickup, dashed off to meet the ambulance at the turn.  Gertrude and Elizabeth tried to make the patient ready, but there wasn’t much inexperienced people could do, so Henry said, “Healthy people done pay attention to anything but the problems that they have to aid the patient.”

Dr. Haney had set aside a family room with the announcement that she was weakening.  She could stay alive for another 21 days, but it could be a much shorter time.  Dr. Haney said, “Her heart beats steady, but it is quite weak.”

Although this last trip to the hospital lasted only six days, the family members lingered around trying to figure out what this meant to all the children of the twelve.

At the Chico Basin Cemetery, a few neighbors, friends and a lot of grandchildren and one great grandchild mourned that Wednesday.  Not a brisk autumn day, but a cold, icy windy day in January.  Pastor Inge gave a short service.  Many, turning to leave the cemetery, noticed the tombstones.  Many were neighbors.  Here, inside the barbed-wired fence, lay the ‘homesteaders’ and ‘nesters’ from the past.

Gerhart was the last son to leave.  He picked up a rose from the flowers bunched around the grave and placed the big rose at the head where a marble stone would soon be placed.  As he turned to leave, he said almost in silence, “She deserved better.”

Next week – Elizabeth Katherine Hammer by Ernest Hammer

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