Carolyn M. Maines

Carolyn Mary (Bennett) (Hammer) Maines, 89, a longtime resident of Sayner, WI was born in New Castle, IN on 01 JAN 1929 to Loral and Bonnie (Dunlap) Bennett and peacefully walked on to her next home on 11 JAN 2018.

Carolyn, her mother, and her sister Patty moved to Speedway, IN while she was in her early teen years. There, she attended school and graduated with the Speedway Class of 1946. A year later she married her high school sweetheart, Don C Hammer from the SHS Class of 1945. Don and Carolyn settled in Speedway and soon began raising an adopted family that included a daughter Linda and son Bradley Hammer. During those early years as a family they enjoyed traveling to the Northwoods of Wisconsin where they would vacation with Don’s parents and brother’s family on Found Lake near St. Germain, WI. It was on one of those vacations in 1960 that Don and Carolyn made the decision to leave their life in Speedway and buy the historic Warner Resort on the north shore of Plum Lake near Sayner, WI. That venture soon became Hammer’s Northwoods Resort which they operated until the late 1970’s. They enjoyed the relaxed life there and hosting many old friends from Speedway along with many new friends and guests from around the Midwest who would come to enjoy the fishing and area attractions. Carolyn transferred her membership from Speedway Christian Church and began attending Shepard of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Sayner. She soon joined the choir and enjoyed singing with them from the mid-60’s until recently.

Don and Carolyn eventually sold their resort and bought a house in Sayner where they lived until Don passed away from cancer in 1984. Carolyn continued to live in Sayner and in 1986 married another Sayner resident, Eugene Maines. Gene and Carolyn enjoyed traveling and fishing in their retired years until Gene passed away in 2013

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don Hammer, husband Gene Maines, son Bradley (Geralyn) Hammer, grandson Kevin Hammer (son of Brad) and niece Rebecca Realey-Coffey.

She is survived by her sister Patricia (Jack) Realey of Indianapolis, IN, her daughter Linda (Chris) Anderson of St. Germain, WI who has been caring for her the past few years; grandsons Keith (Heather) Hammer of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Stephen Hammer of Gurnee, IL; nephews Dennis (Barbara) Hammer of Speedway, IN and Sayner, WI; Rick (Ann) Hammer Sr. of Speedway, IN; Mark Hammer of Indianapolis, IN; Bryon (Dana) Realey of Indianapolis, IN, and cousin to Ken (Bobbi) Jones of Speedway, IN along with numerous other second and third generation nieces, nephews and cousins.

In keeping with Carolyn’s wishes, her remains will be cremated. There is no service or calling scheduled at this time. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, 2903 Highway 155, Sayner, WI 54560.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.