Our precious wife, mother, and grandmother, Rita Harris Hammer, 80, of Ammon, Idaho, passed away July 2, 2015, at Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful, Utah, of complications following surgery.

Rita was born November 16, 1934, in Ririe, Idaho, to Edwin Ransom Harris and Dorothy Dutson Harris. Rita was the youngest of eleven children. Her mother was sick when she was first born, so she was raised by her Aunt Clara for the first six years of her life. She wanted to ride the school bus and go to school with her brother, Bob, so she returned home – much to the dislike of Aunt Clara, who always remained an important part of her life. She graduated from Ririe High School and attended Ricks College.

It was love at first sight when she met Gary Hammer at the Rigby Diner. They were married July 8, 1955, in Ririe, and celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this week. They had a wonderful life together and were blessed with two children, Mike and Robyn. Family was always a first priority and many wonderful memories have been created over the years. She worked as a secretary for many years and at several places, including DOE, the License Bureau, and Vocational Rehab, where she met many wonderful friends. She retired twenty one years ago. Since their retirement, Gary and Rita have regularly wintered in St. George, Utah.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed camping, fishing, riding 4-wheelers, playing games and cards, and going to the movies. A devoted mother and grandmother, Rita's family was her life and she loved spending time with all of them. She especially cherished time with her great grandchildren, Emree and Owen Horch, Kael Cook, and Nuvie Hammer, and was thrilled at the birth of her newest granddaughter, Reggie Hammer.

She will be missed greatly – we can't wait to see her again!

Rita is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Gary Hammer of Ammon, ID;
daughter, Robyn (Kerry) Holmgren of Ammon, ID,
son, Michael (Sharleen) Hammer of Saint George, UT
7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren
She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, Carl, Cleon, Wendell, Lee, Max, and Robert, and four sisters, Nola Mead, Verla Hansen, Beth Tanner, and Ann Landon.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2015, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, with Kerry L. Holmgren officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., both at Wood East Side. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.