Obituary: Kenneth Hammerberg

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home:

Kenneth Richard Hammerberg, age 78 of Baraga, MI passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital.

He was born November 28, 1943 in Escanaba, MI son of Ivan Sr. and Antoinette (Wojtowicz) Hammerberg.

Ken was raised in Wilson, MI and graduated from Bark RIver-Harris High School in 1962. Part of his senior year he worked the 2-11 p.m. shift at Harnischfeger in Escanaba and continued when he attended Bay de Noc College where he received an Associate degree and was part of the first graduating class. Ken then attended NMU and graduated in January of 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. While in school he worked for LaBonte & Adams and was able to pay for all his college expenses. His first job was teaching business and accounting classes at St. Mary High School in Menasha, WI. During the summers he attended NMU and graduated with a Master’s Degree in School Administration. He and his wife moved to Baraga in August, 1974 when he was hired as the Principal at Baraga High School. In 1977, Ken became Superintendent of Baraga Area Schools. His strong business background was proved to be instrumental in the passing of the bond issue and in the process of building the new Baraga High School in 1980.

On June 22, 1968 he married Nancy Barr in Bark River, MI. He loved his family and was an amazing husband, dad, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He will always be remembered for being a hard worker, honest, and ethical. Ken was a member of St Ann’s Church and was a dedicated man of faith. He was a member of the Baraga Lions Club for over 30 years. Ken enjoyed sports, hunting camp, walking, reading, traveling, spending time outdoors, and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

Surviving are his wife Nancy Hammerberg of Baraga; daughter Laura (Steve) Cicholski of Holland, MI; son James Hammerberg of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada; brother Ivan Hammerberg Jr of Wilson, MI; grandchildren, twins Allison and Ryan Cicholski, Heather Cicholski, Rebecca Cicholski; Greer Hammerberg; brother-in-laws Jim (Sharon) Barr of Escanaba, Bob (Bonnie) Barr of Skandia, Andy (Linda) Barr of Sun City, AZ; many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents and grandson Taten Hammerberg.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 22nd from 11-1:00 p.m. at St Ann’s Church in Baraga. His funeral mass will be at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Corey Litzner officiating. A luncheon and fellowship will follow in the church hall. Burial will be in the spring in the Bark River Cemetery. Jacobson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Friends may sign Ken’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.