Iva Lea Hammond, age 100 years, 6 months and 25 days, of De Soto/La Crosse died Thursday May 24, 2018 at Hillview Health Care Center. She was born on October 29, 1917 in the Township of Genoa, Vernon County to George and Myrtle (West) Worman. On February 5, 1938 she married Cecil La Verne Hammond in Waukon, Iowa.
They farmed for many years in the Red Mound and Retreat areas. Iva Lea worked for the De Soto Area School District at both Prairie View Elementary School and De Soto High School. She retired from school foodservice in June of 1981.
Iva Lea was a long-time member of the Retreat United Methodist church and served her church and church family in so many ways. She was active with the Retreat Community Club and served as a leader with the Retreat Ramblers 4-H Club for many years. Iva Lea sold her home in De Soto and moved to La Crosse in March of 2005.
She enjoyed her apartment at Salzer Square and the new friends she made. Afternoon coffee in apartment 107 was always a draw! In January of 2012 she moved to Hillview Health Care Center.
Iva Lea loved to cook and bake and enjoyed crocheting, crafts, gardening and reading. She was happiest whenever she could help someone else or if she could be outside with her hands in the soil tending to her garden and flowers. She was a mother to so many and there was always room for one more at Iva Lea’s.
A special thank you to all of the staff, in every department at Hillview Health Care Center for your compassionate care over the past 6+ years. You made our family, your family. You are absolutely the best!
Iva Lea is survived by one son, Ronald (Sandra) Hammond of La Crosse; one daughter, Marla Withey of La Crosse; one adopted daughter, Carol (Deldon) Hanson of rural De Soto; six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; many special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil; two brothers, Basil and Carl Worman, two sisters, Marna Mae Brudos and Verna Mc Peak, one daughter-in-law, Judy (Ross) Hammond, one son-in-law, Kevin Phil Withey and one great-grandson, Skyler Hammond. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday May 30th at 1 p.m. at the Retreat United Methodist Church, Retreat WI.
Pastor Jim Aniol will officiate. Burial will be at the Walnut Mound Cemetery in Retreat. Family and friends may call on Tuesday, May 29th from 4-6 p.m. at the Thorson Funeral Home in Viroqua .
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be directed to the Retreat United Methodist Church for the Prairie View School mission fund, Hillview Health Care Center, the Walnut Mound Cemetery Association or organization of donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www. thorsonfuneralhome.com The Thorson Funeral Home of Viroqua is proudly serving the family.
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