Long time concrete foreman, rockhound, father, Papa and great grandfather, Ernest Hamann, 91 of Fort Morgan, passed away, with his daughter and son in law at his side, Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Morgan.  Ernest was born February 24, 1931 in Yuma, Arizona to Alma (Flemming) Hamann and William Hamann.  The family made their way to Colorado where Ernest lived in the Hoyt and Adena area for years, making his home in Fort Morgan.  The home Ernest once resided in, still stands in an area only few can find, in a field South of town.

Ernest married Dolores Propp in Fort Morgan on May 14, 1953.  They resided in Fort Morgan.  Ernest farmed in his younger years and held different jobs, including the 7 up bottling company, but found the job that he would retain throughout his life at Green Bros Inc. in 1958.  Ernest was the concrete foreman, and he took pride in that job for 40 years before retiring.  Many sidewalks, curbs, gutters and businesses in Fort Morgan still hold the Green Bros Stamp and were poured and finished by Ernest. His children have memories of going with Ernest, late at night, when it was raining, snowing or just cold, to cover up his work.  His children also hold memories of riding with Ernest on Saturdays to deliver a concrete vault to the cemetery, following a funeral.

Ernest and Dolores, though were not able to have children of their own, adopted Rodney in 1965 and Cathy in 1967.  The children were blessed to grow up in the same home which Ernest lived the rest of his life.  Ernest was a great father.  He believed in teaching Rod and Cathy the importance of learning everything they could as well as the value of hard work.  He is known for phrases such as "can't never did nothing" and "how are you going to know, if you don't try" as well as "you better get yourself a sharp pencil".  Ernest was an avid gardener and for many years, had several gardens in the neighborhood, as neighbors allowed him to utilize their property as well as his own.  Ernest gardened and canned anything and everything and did so up until before his death. His sauerkraut and pickled beets were a favorite to his family.  Ernest was also a "Rockhound".  He spent his life, keeping an eye out for any rock.  He would make jewelry and various items utilizing rocks and would cut and polish his treasures.  But, most of the rocks, would just be kept, to cherish the beauty inside, once cut and polished.   Though work was expected, Ernest always found time to take Rod and Cathy places, as well as teaching them anything and everything in the process.

Dolores passed away in December of 1985.  Though heartbroken, Ernest carried on for his children.  He helped Rod and Cathy all he could throughout their college years and retired, going to part time work at Green Bros. in 1996.  He retired in 1998.  He helped care for his grandchildren and went full time with his Rockhounding and gardening.  Ernest made friends wherever he went and loved talking to people, he never wanted to stop learning.  He was the "Rock" of the family and so loved.  His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, were what he lived for and what he passed on to them all, will never be forgotten. The loss of Ernest, has left a void in his family that will never be filled.

Ernest is survived by his daughter Cathy (Anthony) Banuelos of Fort Morgan, Son, Rodney (Kerri) Hamann of Morrison, grandchildren; Belinda (Scott) Roth of Fort Morgan, Emelio (Ariel) Banuelos of Westminster, Kole Hamann of Morrison and Quinn Hamann of Morrison.

Great grandchildren; Adrian and Scott Roth, both of Fort Morgan.

Ernest was preceded in death by his mother, Alma Hamann, his father, William Hamann, his wife, Dolores and his brother, Bill.

Services for Ernest will be Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Heer Mortuary Chapel in Ft. Morgan.  Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, The Humane Society or PAWSecond Chance Rescue.