On April 28th, 2024, Mary Kammer, 106, passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of our Lord and has been reunited with her husband, Ben.

Mary Eleanor Barrett was born in Savannah, Illinois on December 21st, 1917, to Ethel Josephine Kleineck and Michael Edward Barrett, joining a 7-year-old brother, Joseph LaVerne. Her father, enamored with railroading, quit school after the 8th grade to go to work on the railroad as a fireman. They also owned a store called the Chocolate Shop where Mary could have her fill of pop, sodas, sundaes and her favorite, ice-cream. She really loved ice-cream.

Mary attended 1st through 8th grade in Oxford Junction. After her parents' difficult divorce she attended Mount Mercy Boarding School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the summer of 1933, between her sophomore and junior year, she attended the first dance of the season at the Pavilion in Oxford Junction, Iowa. This is the dance that would change her life forever. At 15 and a half years old she danced with, as she describes, a tall, dark, and very handsome guy. On Saturday, September 7th, 1935, Mary Eleanor Barrett married the love of her life, Benjamin Arthur Kammer.

Ben and Mary started their married life in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where Ben attended college and Mary worked at a Woolworths selling Christmas cards. She made $13 a week which covered their food, expenses and rent of $5 a week.

In 1937 Ben and Mary moved to McGregor, Iowa where Ben taught and coached basketball. In 1940 they welcomed their first son, Robert Barrett Kammer into their family. They then moved to Elwood, Iowa followed by Lost Nation, where son, Thomas Hilton Kammer (1954) and daughter Gretchen Mary Kammer (1955) were born.

Over the next few years Ben's job moved the family to Elwood and then Council Bluffs, Iowa and they finally ended up in Fort Morgan, CO in June of 1962.

Mary loved road trips and travelling, with the highlight being their European trip with Robert and his wife Carol. She cherished her time as a loving Grammy to her 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Saint Helena Catholic Church played a very important role in Mary's life. Her involvement with the community at St Helena gave her great purpose after Ben's death. She made many wonderful friends who enriched her life and gave her so much joy. She always looked forward to the Knights of Columbus monthly breakfasts.

"I thank God every day for giving me Ben and my dear children and for 56 years of happiness. As I have said many times, my children will always owe me a debt of gratitude for my choosing the father I chose for them." -Mary Kammer, 2010

She is survived by her children, Robert (Carol) Kammer, Thomas (Carol) Kammer, and Gretchen (Jim) Bristol. Grandchildren, Christy, Amy, Ryan, Danny, Marcus, Amanda, Michelle, and Janet. Great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Jake, Lauren, Kailey, Kolby, Noah, Charlotte, Benjamin, Evelyn, Aubree, Benjamin, Nate, James, and Josephine.

Proceeded in death by her husband, parents, brother, an infant son, and a great granddaughter.

A Mass to honor Mary's life will be celebrated on Friday, June 21st at 10:30 AM at Saint Helena Catholic Church in Fort Morgan. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be prior to Mass, at 10:00 AM.