Warren Hammerbeck

Funeral services for Warren Hammerbeck were held on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Emmett Kotrba officiating. Music was provided by the congregation, accompanied by Bette Fogel, pianist. Mandi Sinclair and Jennifer Diekmann were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Justin Hammerbeck, Morgan Hammerbeck, Kilian Hammerbeck, DJ Steffen, Bryan Bunker, and Les Cogswell. Interment was in the 40 Bar Ranch Cemetery in Iona, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. On August 1, 1939, George and Evelyn (Korzan) Hammerbeck welcomed their first-born son, Warren Leigh. They raised Warren and his three siblings on the 40 Bar Ranch in Iona, SD. He attended Bull Creek Country School until his sophomore year, when he transferred to Chamberlain High School. Warren graduated from high school in 1957, and at the urging of his mother, went to South Dakota State University the following fall. He graduated with a BS in Animal Husbandry in 1961. While at SDSU, Warren joined the rodeo team as an antidote to homesickness, as well as for the scholarship it offered.

After graduation, Warren came home to the river hills of Iona and ranched with his parents. It was a stroke of luck that in 1965 he was introduced to Frances Sitter. By the end of the evening, Warren had made up his mind, and the following year on May 14th, Warren and Fran were married. They celebrated their 57th anniversary this spring.

During Christmas of 1967, Warren and Fran moved their new family to Cañon City, CO, where he started as a salesman with Stauffer Chemical. This was the first step in a long career in the agricultural chemical industry. His passion for the business moved their family from Cañon City, to Brewster, KS, with Pueblo Chemical, Caldwell, ID, at Snake River Chemical, and finally to Greeley, CO, with United Agri-Products, officially retiring in 2003. Over the course of his career, Warren traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally, and he made many, many friends.

Upon retirement after 36 years, Warren went back to his roots, ranching in Iona, SD, although this time a little differently than his early years. By this time, Warren’s views has changed, focusing on nature’s chemistry. He spent the next 20 years studying the native tall-grass prairie and how best to stay out of nature’s way. It’s an understatement to say, but Warren worked long and hard on how to leave this legacy for his family.

Warren was also a horseman. Following in the footsteps of his father, Warren bred and raised thoroughbreds and quarter horses starting in 1978. Through 45 years of breeding, Warren was pleased to have Olympians, saddle horses, racetrack winners, chuckwagon racers, Mexican match-racers, hunter-jumpers, and family horses from his program.

His other hobbies included collecting and refurbishing antique tractors, and reading. He read himself to sleep almost every night of his life, collecting and storing information on an extensive range of topics.

After a hard-fought battle with Lewy Body Disease, Warren passed away on November 4, 2023, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, SD, at the age of 84.

Warren is survived by his wife Frances (Sitter) Hammerbeck; their children: Justin (Pauline) of Pleasant Prairie, WI, Morgan (Pille) of Rakvere, Estonia, Kilian of Ashville, NC, Heather (DJ) of Burke, SD, Amber (Bryan) of Reliance, SD; grandchildren: Athan, Gus, and Irene Hammerbeck, Martin Zuravljov, June Hammerbeck, Miles and Fayleigh Steffen, Evelyn, Si, Ro, and Laird Bunker; close family friend Les (Kelly) Cogswell, of Eaton, CO. He also leaves behind his siblings: Patricia (Ray) Dykeman of Sioux Falls, SD, Barbara (Duane) Butt of Sioux Falls, SD, Roger (Luanne) Hammerbeck of Hamill, SD; and step-sister Linda Svoboda; along with nieces, nephews, greatnieces and nephews, and many, many special friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Evelyn Hammerbeck, his nephew Steven Dykeman, and brother-in-law James Sitter.