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Ernest (Ernie) William Hammer, 87, of Wild Horse, went to his heavenly home to be with Jesus September 15, 2025. He was born February 12, 1938, to Henry and Virginia Hammer in Colorado Springs.

He graduated from Fountain High School in 1956. He married the love of his life, Judy, August 25, 1957, in Colorado Springs.

Their first son, Tony, was born October 20, 1958, in Colorado Springs. Their second son, Andy, was born May 17, 1963. Their daughter, Kim, was born October 15, 1964.

After Ernie graduated from college at Colorado A & M, they lived in the Hanover community where they worked on the family ranch.

Following the big flood of 1965, they moved to Eckley, for four years, and then to Haxton. They would then move to Moorefield, Nebraska, where Ernie taught at a Vo-Tech school.

They moved to Wheatland, Wyoming, in 1971, where Ernie was ranch foreman of the Twin Pines Ranch.

In 1977, after both of their fathers passed away, Ernie and Judy returned to Hanover to run the family ranch east of Fountain.

In 1979 Ernie went to work for ASCS. He was there for 20 years and retired in 1999.

In the fall of 1999, Ernie and Judy moved to Wild Horse where they enjoyed the community and made many friends. For 20 years, they hosted an “end of summer” party that was well attended by their many friends.

Ernie had several different teams of horses, along with a chuckwagon that he had restored, and a surrey. He went on several wagon train trips. He loved to take his team to the parades at the Cheyenne and Kiowa county fairs, as well as the Kit Carson Day parade.

Ernie and Judy enjoyed traveling. They took several train trips, one being as far as Churchill, Canada, to see the polar bears. They loved taking their grandkids on trips to Dinosaur National Park, Yellowstone, and the Great Sand Dunes. Each trip held a new set of stories and adventures.

Family was very important to Ernie. He loved having everyone together for the holidays and other events. Something that he looked forward to every summer was going to the Baker family reunion and the Hammer picnic ,where he could visit and tell stories with his cousins.

Ernie had many friends and a well lived life. He had endless stories to tell, and enjoyed sharing them all with whoever he was visiting with. He spent many hours visiting family and friends with phone calls. He spent time writing letters and cards, and enjoyed writing articles for the local newspaper. One of his greatest joys was writing his life story and having it made into a book.

Ernie’s life was centered around his faith, family, and friends. He loved and served his Lord and Savior, and he always wanted to share his faith and be an encourager to others.

Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Judy. 

He is survived by sons, Tony (Brenda) and Andy (Teri); daughter, Kim (Jerry); grandchildren, Emily (Justin) Golding, Joshua (Chevaun) Hammer, Mike (Calcy) Jaquess, Jacob (Abbey) Hammer, Lauren Jaquess, Jeremy (Alexis) Jaquess, Leah (Jake) Tufts, Emily Dolan, and Karlene Butler; and great grandchildren, Tressie and Gunner Golding, Ellie Mae, Oliver and Jude Hammer, Hazel, Jack and Otto Jaquess, Cole, Bailey and Luke Hammer, Elidi, Gio and Julianna Jaquess, Brooks Tufts, Savannah and Lucas Dolan.

Funeral services for Ernest W. Hammer were held September 20, 2025, at Praise Community Church in Eads. 

Ernie was laid to rest beside his wife, Judy, in the Wild Horse Cemetery.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Praise Community Church, PO Box 391, Eads, CO  81036.  

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.