_{Allen "Newk" Hammen, age 79,of Kimberly, WI, peacefully transitioned on Thursday, March 8, 2018.  He was preceded in death by his spouse and childhood sweetheart of 66 years, Gayle (Vander Velden).  May the spark that brought them together in life illuminate their way together again.}

_{Newk was the son of the late Joseph and Viola (Crowe) Hammen.  He is survived by his daughters: Holly Hammen of Bloomington, MN; and Wendy (Bill) Huss of Sherwood, WI; and four grandchildren: Michael and Joe Giese and Haley and Megan Huss.  Newk is also survived by his sister, Shirley (Glen) Puls; sister-in-law, Joan Hammen; and brother and sisters-in-law: Lee (Carol) and Wes (Cathie) Vander Velden.}

_{In addition to his parents and wife, Gayle, Newk is preceded in death by his brothers, Ronald and Thomas Hammen.}

_{After graduating from Kimberly High School, Newk joined Kimberly Clark paper mill.  He completed trade school as an electrician and retired at 57.  Family and friends knew Newk as someone that could fix anything.  He was innovative in finding new ways to make things work.  Newk also spent time in Army Reserves.}

_{Sports were a mainstay throughout Newk's life.  He competed in all types of sports in school:  basketball, football and baseball.  As a young adult, Newk continued to play basketball and softball well into his forties and he was inducted in the Kimberly Athletic Hall of Fame.  When he did not compete, Newk refereed basketball and umpired softball.  Later in life, Newk enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and playing cards.  He loved to win, and he could be most colorful when he lost!}

_{Early retirement allowed Newk to spend summers at his home at Lake Poygan fishing and winters at his home in south Texas golfing.  In retirement, Newk found a new sport's passion; he loved following his grandchildren compete in their sports and attended many of their events.}

_{While Newk was a tenacious competitor in life, he faced death with incredible calm, courage, dignity and grace.  Newk's life was just too short.  He is dearly missed by family and friends.}