Darlene E. Hammer, 85, Elma resident and former Kress Dept. Store candy counter clerk, died Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at Pacific Care Center in Hoquiam, Wash.

Darlene was born on Nov. 10, 1931, in Forks, Wash., to Adolph Ralph and Lula Evelyn (McDougall) Edwards. The family moved to Wishkah Valley a few years later. Darlene graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1949. Her first job was as a telephone operator for Ma Bell.

On July 10, 1953, Darlene married Robert L. Hammer at the Aberdeen Presbyterian Church. He died in 1995.

Darlene worked for Kress’s for three years and then Wygan’s Shoe Store for 10 years, but she felt that her calling was that of a wife and mother. She was on the Robert Gray PTA, an assistant Girl Scout Leader and a member of the Presbyterian Church. She played clarinet in the Eagles Band and was a member of the Retail Clerks Union.

She enjoyed sewing, painting, cooking, gardening, singing and dancing. She volunteered at the Grays Harbor Food Bank and for the American Red Cross during blood drives. She loved spending time and playing with her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed taking them kite flying and to the donut shop. She, also, had a special love for dogs.

Darlene is survived by two sons, Robert L. (Susan) Hammer of Montesano and Adolph R. Hammer of Aberdeen; a daughter, Debra A. Hammer of Elma; a brother Theodore S. Edwards of Aberdeen; 9 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Hammer Sr.; grandson Michael Katron; three sisters, Mary Lou Kavanaugh, Joyce Kuzmak and Francis ‘Frannie’ Stott.

There will be a time of Visitation and viewing on Wednesday, July 12, from 1-8 p.m. at Fern Hill Funeral Home and on Thursday, July 13, from 9-12:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday the 13th at 1 p.m. at Fern Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside will follow at Fern Hill Cemetery with a reception following at the Dorothy Mann Reception Room at Fern Hill Funeral Home.

A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.