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Dr. James F. Hammarsten,   Age 95
Visitation Location: Lakeview Cemetery, Grey Eagle, MN
Funeral Location: Lakeview Cemetery, Grey Eagle, MN
Burial Location: Lakeview Cemetery, Grey Eagle, MN
   
    Dr. James Francis Hammarsten
    Of Melrose, MN, formerly of Grey Eagle, MN
    March 25, 1920 – January 13, 2016
    
     Dr. James F. “Jim” Hammarsten, 95, of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Pine Villa Center in Melrose on January 13, 2016.
     Per Jim’s request a graveside service celebrating his life will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery, (Big Birch Lake), Grey Eagle in July.
    Jim was born on March 25, 1920, in Grey Eagle to Francis Ragnar “Hammar” and Julia Linnea (Hammargren) Hammarsten. He graduated from Grey Eagle High School in 1938. He received his Bachelor’s Degree and Medical Degree (1944) from the University of Minnesota. He married his medical school classmate Dorothea “Dee” Jung on April 15, 1944. Jim went on to complete his internship at the University of Oklahoma Hospitals, OKC and his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Minnesota Hospitals and the Minneapolis, VA Hospital.
    Jim served in the US Army from 1945-1947 and in the US Air Force in 1953. He later joined the Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel in 1984.
    Between 1949 and 1986, Jim served as Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, University of Oklahoma, and the University of Washington. From 1982 to 1986, he served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the School of Health Sciences at Boise State University, Boise, ID.
    From 1953 to 1962, Jim served as Chief of Medicine at the Oklahoma City, VA Hospital. From 1962 to 1966, he served as Chief of Medicine at the St. Paul-Ramsey Hospitals, St. Paul, MN. From 1967 to 1977, he served as Professor of Medicine and Head, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma OKC. From 1977 to 1986 he served as Chief of Medicine at the Boise VA Hospital. Jim retired in 1986 and started his next career, lasting ten years, as the medical expert testifying at Social Security disability hearings in Minneapolis.
    During his career, Dr. Hammarsten was the author or co-author of approximately ninety publications on a variety of scientific subjects including numerous papers (and lectures) on one of his favorite subjects; the Physicians on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He begins as a student researching the Expedition, but became an expert on the subject.
    Dr. Hammarsten’s honors are numerous and include induction into the American Lung Association Hall of Fame, being made an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, having a conference room dedicated in his name at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City, having the annual meeting of the Oklahoma Thoracic Society named in his honor, “The Hammarsten Pulmonary Conference”, being awarded the Breath of Life Award from the Oklahoma Lung Association, having an annual teaching award named in his honor at the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City, being awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Minnesota Board of Regents (one of only a thousand at the time), Mastership in the American College of Physicians and receiving the Minnesota Laureate Award from the American College of Physicians.
     Jim and Dee played a major role in encouraging and supporting various individuals to pursue careers in medicine. After the fall of South Vietnam, he created programs in Oklahoma City arranging for housing, financial support, and the American medical education/licensing for over 200 Vietnamese physicians.
     Jim was an outstanding professor of medicine/teacher and attending physician who willingly gave of himself to the needs of his students, residents, fellows, and patients (especially the veterans). He once stated he wanted his epitaph to read “He taught his students to be complete, compassionate physicians.”
     Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle who was proud of his small town upbringing and enjoyed the outdoors. He was always happy to host a gathering on shore or on the island at Big Birch Lake which, to him, was Lake Wobegon.
     Jim and Dee were avid world travelers. Special trips included many to Saigon and Paris. For many decades, Jim’s favorite way to relax was to have a beer while cooking; having honed his skills at a cooking school in Paris.
     Survivors include his children, Linnea Louise Ingold of Melrose, MN, Dr. James Eric (Beth) Hammarsten of Tulsa, OK, Richard Anders (Cathy) Hammarsten of Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren, Kristi, Jacki, Kirk (Mandi), Eric (Allicia), Britt, and Carl (Dee); 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Judy Jarsko of White Bear Lake, MN; brother-in-law, Frank Jung (Carol) of Sun City West, AZ; special friends Wayne (JoAnn) Tschida and family of Melrose, MN; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
     He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dee; infant son; son-in-law, Harry Ingold; sisters, Lorraine Johnson and Dorothy Ericson; as well as many other relatives and friends.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are with Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.
    
 
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