Josephine Ann Hammeren

Josephine "Jo" Hammeren, 87, of Lompoc died peacefully Tuesday, October 20, 2009. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 19, 1921, Jo was the eldest of six children born to Anton and Josephine Sercel. She grew up and attended school in Cleveland and was active in the church and drama club. She spent two years in a convent and always said she had never planned to get married until she met and in 1949 married Stanley, her tall handsome redhead whom she met after the war at Wright Patterson AFB. Jo and Stan spent their early married lives in Dayton and Akron before heading West to California in a station wagon on St. Patrick's Day in 1958 with their five children. Anyone who ever spoke with Jo would always hear her favorite story of how she and Stan packed up the five kids and came to California in a covered wagon, settling in Lompoc in 1959.

One of Jo's favorite pastimes was reading and over the years she collected hundreds of books. She was proud of the fact that she went back to college after her children left home and earned an Associate Degree at Hancock College. She was a good cook and kept her family in good supply of homemade apple pies and applesauce made with apples off her backyard tree. After retirement, Jo and Stan enjoyed taking road trips to the Lake Tahoe/Reno area to see the mountains and snow. Jo had a colorful personality; she loved to talk and would tell her life stories to anyone willing to lend a patient ear. She was a long-time member of La Purisima and Queen of Angels Catholic church, and in her younger years enjoyed singing in the church choir. Green was her favorite color and she loved roses. A good plate of homemade spaghetti with a glass of wine (or two) always got her humming. She loved an audience and would sometimes break into her favorite Slovenian song at family gatherings. Her lively presence will surely be missed.

Josephine is survived by her five children and their families; Mary Manning of Goodyear, Arizona, Marlene (Alan) Grant of Laguna Beach, Howard Hammeren and Patty (Charles) Darr of Lompoc, Polly (Peter) Schneekloth of Buellton; her five grandchildren Jason (Jamie) Manning of Simi Valley, Nichole and Casey Darr of Chico, Erica and Petie Schneekloth of Buellton; her three great-grandsons Adam, Blake and Carter Manning; her sister Rose Micale in Ohio, her brother Tony Sercel in Michigan, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Stanley in 2006, her brother John Sercel, and her sisters Gabrielle Cashane and Ann Niro.

A private family gathering is planned with Graveside services on Friday at Lompoc Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please remember your favorite charity.