I couldn't let the death of Lois (Stambaugh) Hammarlund pass without saying thank you! I have enjoyed music all of my life, and without the early nurturing and sharing of Lois Hammarlund, I doubt I would have had that opportunity.
Lois was the pianist and organist at Maple Hill Community Congregational Church during all of the time I lived in Maple Hill, in fact, for over sixty years. Lois and her brother, Edwin "Ed" Stambaugh were both talented and had beautiful, trained voices. I remember sitting in church and listening to them sing as a child. I would marvel at their ability and think, "Wow---could I ever do that?"
Lois Hammarlund was a natural teacher and coach. She was never willing to accept that ol' "I can't carry a tune in a bucket" excuse from anyone. She always had time to work with you and encourage you. So when I was yet in grade school, she began to pull music from her vast collection and ask me to sing solos for church, or a community program. She let me sing with the adult church choir when some of the older members were probably wondering why. Lois had a wonderful laugh and a very casual way but she sure knew how to make you learn and feel good about it.
I wasn't the lone beneficiary of her time and talent. She encouraged and helped vast numbers of people over her long life. In fact, she fomed a quartet consisting of my mother, Lucille Clark, and her three sisters Joan Corbin, Sarah Emma Corbin and Vivian Corbin that sang for weddings and funerals at church during the 1940s.
I remember when I was in high school, she asked Larry Schulte, Jr., Rod Say, Kent Raine and myself if we would like to form a quartet. We agreed and Lois worked with us tirelessly to provide special numbers at church and for community programs. One of our favorites was "How Great Thou Art" a beautiful arrangement that Lois found and we worked on and embellised. Another was "De Animals Are Coming!" and the list goes on and one. We had such fun singing--and Lois was fulfilled when her students were successful.
Lois studied music at McPherson College but I'm not sure she really needed to study music. She was born with a natural talent and gift that surpassed what most of us could enjoy in a lifetime. Lois could transpose music up or down to fit your comfort zone. However I remember her insisting that I sing in the high ranges because she felt I could become a good lyric tenor. She didn't want you to be less than you could be and that was a gift as well. In addition, Lois could play piano and organ by ear. I remember just a few years ago, sitting at the piano at MHCCC one day when Lois and Rachel Imthurn (another very talented pianist and musician) were there rehearsing for the funeral of my maternal grandmother, Mildred (McCauley) Corbin-Clark. I have a strange gift for playing piano in that I can play almost anything by note poorly, but I can play almost everything well by ear but only in the key of A flat. I sat down at the piano and began playing hymns in A flat and Lois joined right in on the organ, not needing or reading a note, but sensing them. She was a marvel.
Lois was one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. She and her husband Howard Hammarlund farmed a couple of farms and there was nothing on the farm that she wouldn't or couldn't do. Whether it was driving tractors, or making hay, or hauling grain, Lois was right there with Howard. Lois loved to sew and made beautiful clothing and drapes. She could refinish and restore furniture. Lois would work in the field or in the home all day and would be at choir practice and look like a million dollars---and be full of energy too!
I received two college scholarships, both of which I probably owe to Lois Hammarlund. I auditioned for the Kansas State University Men's Glee Club and was successful and received a music scholarship. Then I decided I'd rather go to Washburn University and auditioned with Dr. Floyd Hedburg for the Washburn Singers and Concert Choir and received that scholarship. I finished at Washburn and enjoyed all three years of participation in all of the vocal groups. My proudest night, was in 1970, when I gave my senior voice recital in White Concert Hall, and Lois Hammarlund was sitting in the front row---encouraging me as she always had.
I worked my way through college singing regularly at Topeka funeral homes. I owe that to Lois as well in that she recommended me to Eugene Parker, Parker Funeral Home and long time Topeka Funeral Director. They were good friends in the Order of the Easern Star and Gene knew that if Lois said I could sing, I could sing. Gene then recommended me to Penwell Gable. At the end of my junior year, I was usually singing for two or three services a day--and all thanks to Lois. It wasn't anything Lois wouldn't have done for anyone she thought capable---that was just they way she was.
Lois was born and raised in the Kaw/Turkey Creek Community north of Maple Hill and was a fixture in our area of Wabaunsee County for more than 80 years, until poor health forced her to live near her son and family in McPherson. Lois was involved in musical and civic events all over Wabaunsee County, but she was also known across the state through her work as Organist and Grand Organist in the Order of the Eastern Star. I don't think there was anyone that ever played the grand marches and calls to prayer with more feeling than Lois Hammarlund. She was just without equal.
Lois and her brother Ed were both stricken with alzheimer's disease, and endured tragic endings to exemplary lives. I know all of us pray that a cure for that dreaded condition is soon found----tomorrow!!!
I don't want to get too mushy, but I think we all know where Lois is now---singing in that Heavenly choir of angels, playing that grand organ, giving lessons on the piano to children, living and loving and enjoying every minute of it. This world is a better place because God gave us Lois (Stambaugh) Hammarland. I'll reprint her obituary below. Happy Journies Lois!!
McPherson, Kansas
Lois Melva Hammarlund, 90, formerly of Maple Hill, passed away Thursday, February 14, 2013 at her home in McPherson.
She was born January 6, 1923 in the Kaw Township, Wabaunsee Count,y Kansas on the farm of her grandparents Mose and Adele Murphy, the daughter of Emmett H. and Melva Murphy Stambaugh. She was raised in Kaw Township and on a farm near Paxico. Mrs. Hammarlund graduated from Paxico High School in 1941 and was president of the class. She attended McPherson College from 1941 until 1943 receiving her teaching certificate.
Mrs. Hammarlund taught school at Kiowa, Maple Hill and Alma. She later was a rural mail carrier for many years at Maple Hill retiring in 1988. Lois was a member of the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church where she was a church organist for 60 years. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Beulah Chapter in Topeka. Mrs. Hammarlund was the Kansas Grand Chapter organist (1981-1982). She played for hundreds of weddings and funerals throughout the area.
On May 25, 1947 she was united in marriage to Howard Henry Hammarlund at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church. He passed away September 25, 1984. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Edwin Stambaugh.
Survivors include her son, Ted (Cheryl) Hammarlund, McPherson; two grandsons, Daniel, Wichita and Scott, Manhattan; a sister-in-law, Betty Stambaugh, Topeka; three nephews, and a niece.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church. Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Hammarlund will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday, February 18, 2013 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Memorial contributions may be made to the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.
