Jerome B. Hamre

Jerome Burton Hamre, 89, of Fertile, Minnesota passed away on October 14, 2014. Jerome was born on October 31, 1924, to Benjamin and Josephine Hamre on a farm near Beltrami, Minnesota. He was the fourth of nine children and was baptized and confirmed in Scandia Lutheran Church. He attended grades 1st through 8th at a country schoolhouse near Beltrami, and also grades 9th – 12th at the Beltrami High School, graduating in 1942. Jerome then attended the NW School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN, and in 1945, enlisted in the U.S. Army in Alaska where he served until discharged in 1947. After the Army, he came back home to Beltrami to start his farming career.
On June 10, 1950, Jerome was united in marriage to Shirley Wegge from Buxton, ND, at Salem Lutheran Church. Together they raised five talented sons: Larry, Essex CT; Brent (Jenny) Erskine, MN; Randy (Julie), Fergus Falls, MN; Kevin (Gail) Cloquet, MN; and Blake, Southbridge, MA. In the 1960's, Jerome enjoyed listening to his sons (The Hamre Brothers) perform at numerous churches, fairs, talent shows, and concert halls throughout the years, and in 1966 while performing at the Minnesota State Fair, along with numerous other contestants, the Hamre Brothers won the trip of going to New York City to audition for the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Jerome also sang in various choirs throughout the community, but his all-time favorite hobby was listening to Shirley play the piano, and keeping his yard and fields in "perfect shape."
Jerome was a charter member of the Beltrami Legion 626 and had been a member for 63 years; served on the School Board for several years; served on the church board council; was on the Board of Directors at the Shelly Farmers Coop for several years; was Scandia Township assessor for 12 years; and was a census taker in the year 1970. In 1986, Jerome semi-retired, and Shirley and he moved to Fertile, MN, where they continued to be active members in the community. They also spent the winters in their Arizona home from 1980 – 2013 where, again, they both were involved in numerous choirs, either singing or directing at the Fountain of the Sun and/or at various churches.
Jerome was proud of his grandchildren (Brandon, Heidi, Jerrel, Dominic and Sara), and also his great grandchildren (Connor, Bryn, Jace, Kinsley, Nora, Harper, Charlotte, and Avery).
He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Josephine Hamre; and his siblings, Marian Haugen, Rolland Hamre, Adelle Haas and Margaret Webster.
Survivors include his wife Shirley; five sons and spouses; grandchildren; great grandchildren; his siblings, Delores Grant, Phillip Hamre, Barbara Oistad, and Dean Hamre; and numerous nieces and nephews.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, October 17, 2014, 10:30 a.m. in Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN, with visitation one hour before the service. There will be a luncheon following the service in the church.