Bill Hammerlund Passes Away
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Albert William Hammerlund, “Bill”, age 79 of Independence, Minnesota passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2012.
He was born April 19, 1933 to Albert and Eleanor (Sawyer) Hammerlund in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bill was the owner of Hammerlund Manufacturing located in Hopkins, Minnesota for over 53 years. He was active in the American Saddlebred Horse Association as an owner/exhibitor/breeder for over 50 years. He was the founding President of the Minnesota Saddlebred Horse Association and owned some great horses such as CH Cherokee King, Midnight Seduction, True To Color, Slight Indulgence, My Sheer Magic and many others too numerous to name. He also owned the great Hackney Pony, Blockbuster DV, shown by his granddaughter, Ashlinn Thommes.
He leaves a legacy of successfully showing (and training) American Saddlebreds to his children and grandchildren, most of whom also show.
He was a graduate of St. Louis Park High School and Gustavus Adolphus College where he was active in football, wrestling, hockey and softball. Bill was active in coaching his sons and grandsons teams over the years. He was born again in Jesus in 1968, wonderfully changing his life forever.
Bill was preceded in death by his son Aaron; his parents Albert and Eleanor Hammerlund, siblings Robert Hammerlund, Kenneth Hammerlund, Pat Adickes and Beth Farniok. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Linn Hammerlund; children Lauren Hammerlund, Matthew Hammerlund, Anne Thommes, and Christina Wagner; nine grandchildren: Mason, Madeleine and Miles Hammerlund, Ashlinn, Caleb and Sawyer Thommes, Jordan, Aaron and Sunday Wagner; brother George (Harriet) Hammerlund; as well many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 2 PM at Delano Evangelical Free Church. Gathering of family and friends will occur for one hour prior to services in the church on Sunday. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers. (Please send memorials to 7565 Pioneer Creek Road, Maple Plain, MN 55359.)
Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota.
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