Novella Gertrude (Van Alstine) Hammack

Novella Hammack, a long time Prineville resident passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital. She was 80 years old.

Memorial services will be held at the Grace Lutheran Church in Prineville on Wednesday, March 7th at 11:00 am. Pastor Barbara Punch will officiate.

Novella was born in Hines, Oregon on March 23, 1931 to Virgil and Helen (Jones) Van Alstine. She attended and graduated from Burns High School with the class of 1949.

She met her future husband Willard Hammack at the Burns bowling alley. They were married in the Lutheran church in Hines Oregon the 29th of October 1950, they just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They had three daughters. Novella later went to Portland Oregon Vocation Training as a secretary.

Novella worked for Harney County Extension Service in Burns. Later in 1967  she moved to Prineville and became co-proprietor of the Tastee-Treat. After selling business in 1972, she worked for several years at the First Interstate Bake (aka Wells Fargo) as vault teller.

Novella enjoyed the outdoors and especially fishing trips to the Owyhee River. She was especially fond of birds and had many bird feeders and bird houses around the yard at which she could watch them congregate. Novella enjoyed sewing and tole painting. She enjoyed watching the sports channel and playing cards with her family, especially Pinochle and cribbage. As a long time member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, she was active as the church secretary for several years and with the Ladies Aid & Circle groups. She volunteered and baked homemade goodies for bake sales to support the church needs and charities.

She was a loving caregiver and looked after her aging father for several years prior to his death. She would regularly be seen at the Crook County Senior Center lunching with him.

Novella was a devoted wife and mother; she is survived by her husband Willard, her brother Arthur Van Alstine of Oregon City, Oregon. Daughters; Patricia Jones (Claire) of Huntsville, Alabama, Jenifer St. Mars of Vancouver, Washington, Sharen Nelson of Prineville, Oregon. She is also survived by six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers in behalf may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association - Central Oregon Chapter, 1135 SE Highland Ave. Redmond, Oregon 97756.

Arrangements are in the care of Prineville Funeral Home.

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