Marvin Hammersmark
Marvin Hammersmark was born Christmas Day, December 25, 1937 to Norwegian immigrants Mike Hammersmark and Margaret Stene Hammersmark. Marvin always said that having your birthday on Christmas meant getting gyped out of at least one present. Marvin grew up in Big Timber, Montana where he learned carpentry, mechanics, farming and most of all hard work from his mother and father.
Marvin earned his Bachelor degree in Natural Recourses from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. During this time Marvin was proud to serve in the National Guard. Marvin started his career with the Bureau of Land Management in 1963 in Baker City, Oregon. It was here that he met the love of his life and married Judith Dougherty in March 1964. Judy and Marvin spent 54 years together as best friends, partners and soul mates.
Marvin’s career allowed him to perform in various management positions with the BLM in the communities of Baker City, Oregon; Ely, Nevada; Lakeview, Oregon and Rawlins, Wyoming. In 1992 Marvin retired from the BLM and fulfilled a lifelong dream when he purchased a farm outside of Ballentine, Montana.
Marvin could build and fix anything. Marvin loved working on projects with his brother and co-BLMer Hank Hammersmark from Billings, Montana. Marvin and Hank built the house on the farm near Ballentine from the ground up. One of Marvin’s projects he was most fond of was renovating an old house in Lakeview, Oregon and turning it into one of the town’s landmarks on Main Street. Marvin was a generous neighbor who enjoyed sharing his talents with friends, family and the church.
Marvin and Judy were devoted parents who raised three children together. Marvin’s children learned hard work and unconditional love from a father that never gave up on anyone or anything. Marvin is survived by his wife Judy Hammersmark, by his brother Henry (Hank) Hammersmark (Sue) and his beloved sister Ann Hammersmark Knudson (George) and by his three children: John Hammersmark (Wanda) New Salem, ND; Jacque Hammersmark Wohfeil (Rodd) Worden, MT and Kirsten Montoya Billings, MT.
Marvin was particularly proud of his grandchildren Brittni Davenport (Ryan), Kaci Johnson (Jeremy), Zackery Wohfeil, Dante Wohfeil, Isaiah Wohfeil, Jason Wohfeil, David Wohfeil, Shannon Duncan (Richard), Marvin Hammersmark (Natosha), Patrick Hammersmark, Raven Montoya, Skye Montoya and great-grandchildren: Autumn Hammersmark, Knight Hammersmark, Embrie Davenport and Otto Davenport.
Marvin was preceded in death by his mother and father Mike and Margaret Hammersmark and by his treasured and much missed sister Linda Hammersmark Long (Jim).
