Lowell Hamre

Lowell “Butch” Hamre, 65, died Thursday, September 16, 2021, at his rural home in Hampden surrounded by his loving family.

Butch was born November 30, 1955, in Edmore, ND, to Lloyd and O’Della (Lommen) Hamre. He was baptized, confirmed, and a member of Zoar Free Lutheran Church. He was raised and educated in Hampden, graduating with the class of 1974. Butch attended Lake Region Junior College taking up welding, and he began farming in 1975 after working for a brief time at Lunde Implement.

On April 2, 1976, Butch married his high school sweetheart, Julie Werner, in Hampden. They made their home on the family farm for the past 45 years where they raised their two children, Kelly and Traci.

Butch had a passion for fishing his whole life, starting when he was just a small boy up until cancer did not allow it. He was never idle. Anyone who knew him remembers his organized way of living and his pocket shirts that always held his important notes on recipe cards, which were affectionately called “cookie sheets” by one of his best friends. He was an avid lover of music, especially 80’s rock ballads. He was also well-known for saving just about anything to reuse, repurpose, or rebuild, and he had quite the stockpile of extra supplies and materials to get through just about any project in the house or on the farm; he had all the tools to do these projects, too, and he was very particular about them. He spoke fluent sarcasm and always had one-liners to share. There really wasn’t anyone else quite like him!

Butch was a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandpa, and a strong and steady presence to his family and friends. His family was his top priority, and he told his family and friends that he was very thankful for a wonderful life—great wife, great kids, and many wonderful memories made over the years.

Butch was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Hamre, as well as his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edwin and Eleanor Werner.

Left to mourn the loss of Butch is his wife of 45 years, Julie; his son, Kelly (Erika) Hamre, and their children, Kaylen, Garyn, Elly, and Emma, of Hampden; his daughter, Traci (Brian) Hysjulien, and their sons, Wrigley and Masen, of Stanley, ND; his mother, O’Della, of Devils Lake; sister, Lou Ann Hamre, of Minot, ND; brothers, Leland “Buck” (Dawn) Hamre, of Starkweather, ND, and Darin (Judy) Hamre, of Wheatland, ND; sister-in-law, Mary Werner, of Hampden, and several aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Music will be provided by Mallory Roppel, vocalist, and Linda Harder, pianist. Urn Bearers will be Greg Schonauer, Bruce Stremick, Bruce Simon, Lee Werner, Mark Robertsdahl, and Randy Nielsen. 

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Monday, September 20, 2021, at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a time of prayer and remembrance at 5:00 p.m. led by Pastor Rodney Johnson of Stanley, ND. Funeral Services for Butch will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at Zoar Free Lutheran Church, Hampden, with Reverend Craig Wentzel officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Storlie Cemetery, Hampden, in memory of Butch. 

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