Stephen A. Hammett

Stephen “Steve” A. Hammett, of Marysville, KS, passed away peacefully at his residence on November 17, 2023.

The visitation will be held Tuesday, November 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary.

A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 22, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church.  Father Quentin Schmitz will officiate.  The musicians will be Rosemary Forst, Michele Beaman, Ron & Fran Grauer, and Roberta Temeyer.  Music will include "You Are Mine", "In Christ Alone", "As the Deer Longs", "Amazing Grace".

The pallbearers are Joe Wetter, Bob Watts, Randy Alford, Jim Kotapish, Alan Bruna, Doug Griswold, Jerry Temeyer, Don Ballman, Dick Nordhus, Gerald Ballman and Tom Sandmann.

Burial will be in St. Gregory’s Catholic Cemetery.

Steve was born on October 8, 1953, in Marysville, son of Otis C. and Phyllis (Ellenbecker) Hammett.

His childhood was spent growing up on the family farm, south of Marysville, where he learned the value of hard work, long hours, and ingenuity. He assisted his father in the farm and ranch operation and also with the Hammett bulldozing business.   While in high school, he loved playing football and basketball and continued playing recreational basketball into his mid-thirties. He even drove the school bus before and after school as he neared graduation.  After graduating from Marysville High School in 1973, he worked for a time as the foreman at Grosshan-Peterson Construction before returning to his true passion, farming.  When not farming, he operated his own bulldozing business, where he completed soil conservation work for area farmers.

Steve met his wife, Teresa (Ubben), while farming for her parents during the time she was studying at Kansas State.  They were married on June 20th, 1983, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. They had recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past June.  

Not many may know this, but Steve’s favorite holiday was Christmas!  He would string up lights both inside and out, starting earlier and earlier every year it seemed. He’ll be remembered not only for his strong work ethic but also for having a kind and caring heart that regularly found him lending a helping hand to anyone in need. He was very handy and could be counted on to find a solution for any general repair that arose. He was a fixture at St. Gregory’s 10 a.m. mass, proudly serving in many roles including head usher, Sacristan, and Eucharistic Minister.  He became known as “The Candyman” at church several years ago after he began bringing a bucket of candy to hand out to all the kids who had behaved well during mass.

As an avid sports enthusiast, Steve passionately supported K-State, Kansas City Chiefs, Colorado Avalanche, and Sporting KC. He and his family have been KSU football season ticket holders for 35 plus years, where he enjoyed the full tailgating experience in addition to the game. He was a loving father and husband who enjoyed traveling with his family to multiple K-State bowl games and vacations over the years.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa; mother, Phyllis Hammett of Marysville; two sons, Jason (Shannen) Hammett of Olathe, KS, and Dustin (Caitlin) Hammett of Overland Park, KS; siblings, David (Diane) Hammett of Marysville, Greg Hammett of Sabetha, KS, Brad (Julie) Hammett of Lawrence, KS, Jean (Dave) Tripp of Gardner, KS, and Kevin "Arnie" Hammett and George Hammett, both of Marysville.

He was preceded in death by his father and two infant brothers, Jeffrey and John Phillip Hammett.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later.  Contributions may be sent in the care of Kinsley Mortuary.