Lloyd Arthur Hemming

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Lloyd Hemming was a vibrant, hardworking, and honorable man of integrity who lived each day to the fullest. Like pages torn from a history book, he experienced firsthand countless events that greatly shaped the nation he spent much of his life serving. A devoted husband and father, Lloyd was blessed to witness his family tree blossom to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren who made him so very proud. With the love of his life by his side for countless adventures, he created a timeless legacy that will be proudly carried on by those who follow him. The year 1918 is very much remembered as the year in which an armistice was signed with Germany, bringing WWI to an end, this was a year to remember in the lives of Sidney and Mabel (Crowson) Hemming for a much different reason as they were pleased to announce the birth of their son on April 1, 1918. Born and raised in a little green house on a small farm in St. Charles Township, located just a few miles out of St. Charles, Minnesota, Lloyd A. was a typical boy of his generation in many ways. Tragedy struck early in young Lloyd's life as his mother died when he was just four months old. As a result, Lloyd was raised by his grandparents, George and Nina Crowson. Lloyd attended grade school at District 52 in Saratoga during his earliest years and went on to St. Charles High School, leaving school during his sophomore year to look for work. This was not easy as these were the days of the Great Depression when jobs were scarce. Lloyd took what he could find, however, which included at Saratoga Creamery where he performed a variety of tasks including wrapping pounds of butter to cleaning equipment. Some of his earnings went toward his first car, a 1927 Model-T Ford coup, that he later traded that for a Chevrolet coup with a rumble seat. Lloyd also bought a 1933 Harley-Davidson single cylinder as well. He then took an additional job as a caretaker at the Saratoga Cemetery. As a young man Lloyd joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, but his time there lasted only a week before he left to take care of his car that was in dire need of repair. It was just a short time later that he joined the Army at Fort Snelling on November 15, 1937, marking the beginning of a 21 year career in the military. Lloyd received his first training from an old drill sergeant and was later assigned to Company D, which was a machine gun company. He was also given bugle instructions and was assigned as one of the three company buglers. Lloyd's duties also included other tasks such as working for the officers shining their boots, belts, and brass. He also took a job pressing uniforms in the company tailor shop. Upon completing his three year tour, Lloyd was discharged as a private first class with a fifth class specialist rating. He then worked in carpentry for his uncle. When the cold weather hit he decided that the work was not for him and returned to Fort Snelling where he reenlisted for another three years. Although initially assigned to Company 2 at the reception center, Lloyd ended up in his former drill sergeant's company within two weeks and was promoted to corporal. After some time passed, he filled out an application and was accepted into the Air Corps, which meant that he was demoted to a private again and needed to work his way up. It wasn't long after that America witnessed the tragic bombing of Pearl Harbor, which left with no choice but to declare war on the following day, December 8, 1941. Lloyd was then transferred to Davis Monthan Field in Tucson and assigned to a bombardier school. It was there that Lloyd married his sweetheart, Claudia, on April 1, 1942. From there he was assigned to a cadre of 27 men and transferred to Camp Seven Mile Gunnery School in Spokane, Washington, to be trained as an aerial gunnery instructor and to open up a gunnery school in Soap Lake, Washington, which is where he was appointed as acting first sergeant. Lloyd's wife joined him in Soap Lake, and together they were thrilled with the birth of their son, Donald, who joined their lives. Over the several years that followed, Lloyd was transferred to various bases within the country, his wife and son joining him wherever he went. He eventually boarded the USS Howell Lykes that made some stops but eventually made it to Guam where they set about making runways for the aircraft. Lloyd and 15 men were assigned to maintain the aircraft, loading the weapons and providing needed maintenance for the flights to the Japanese homeland. With the end of WWII in 1945, Lloyd was flown to Saipan for return to California and then back to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, for discharge. Discharge was not to be, however, as Lloyd decided to reenlist for another three year term. He spent his 30 day leave with Claudia and Don back in Winona. Lloyd then reported for duty at Grand Island, Nebraska, where he remained for about a month before being sent to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas as a basic training instructor in first aid. He and his family headed south and was immediately reassigned to Buckley Field in Colorado. After completing this assignment Lloyd was sent to Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota, where he and his wife were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Linda, in 1948. Again Lloyd followed orders that moved him around frequently, including to Howard Air Force Base in the Panama Canal Zone where his family was eventually allowed to join him. After one year he was moved to Albrook Air Force Base as housing NCO for the entire Caribbean Air Command, which was the most enjoyable assignment for Lloyd and his family. After completing his tour of three years in the Panama area, Lloyd was assigned to the Lowry Air Force base in Denver, Colorado, which was Lloyd's chosen base. Some time later he moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where the bulk of his duties were spent working with recruiters. When those duties were fulfilled, he was assigned to duty in Japan, where they welcomed their daughter, Deborah, into their family. One year later Lloyd was due for discharge from the service and was returned stateside as he didn't want to reenlist for duty in Japan. However, he did reenlist once in Fargo again and after two months was assigned to Saudi Arabia. Since Lloyd did not want another overseas assignment, he decided to place an application for retirement, and on November 30, 1958, he did retire from the military as a master sergeant. In recognition of various military duties, Lloyd was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations, the Good Conduct Ribbon with two battle stars, Victory Medal, and American Defense Ribbon. About one year later, the family moved to St. Charles, Minnesota, where they initially stayed with Claudia's parents for a time before buying their home on Richland Avenue. Lloyd took a job at Peerless Chain Company in Winona, but decided after a month that it was not a good fit for him. From there he continued on with his flight training, which he had started in Grand Island, Nebraska. Lloyd then spent one year working for Builders Hardware Store in Rochester before setting in at People's Natural Gas Company in Kasson where they built a house while renting out their house in St. Charles. He later left the gas company to work in the parts department at Gopher Aviation in Rochester where he remained until they went on strike. It was around that same time that the Hemming family moved back into their home in St. Charles. Lloyd then ran a fishing resort in Detroit Lakes during the summer until closing the resort in the fall and heading back to work for a new Builders Hardware Store in Rochester, which he purchased in 1971. Lloyd stayed in the business until selling his shares to his partner in 1977. Lloyd and his family moved around a couple more times, and after spending nine years in Rochester altogether, Lloyd and his wife spent the summer months trailering with their Gopher Fun Trailer group, which they had joined in 1971. They traveled all over including both Arizona and Texas for several years. In 1985, they traveled to Silver Springs, Florida, with their 1981 South wind Class A motor home, and since Florida weather was not for them they headed to Victoria Palms Resort in Donna, Texas. During the mid-eighties they sold the motor home. During the summer of 1988 Lloyd's friend found a park model trailer on a lot in Victoria Palms for sale and talked Lloyd into purchasing it unseen. Which they later sold and moved into a town home in St. Charles. As someone who was social, outgoing, and community minded, Lloyd was involved in his community and enjoyed pursuing some of his interests. He belonged to the St. Charles United Methodist Church where he was a past trustee. Lloyd also belonged to the Veterans of Foreign War Post and its firing squad, the American Legion, 330th Bomb Group Association, Evergreen Masonic Lodge, St. Charles Senior Citizens, and the Old Guard. He was chosen Outstanding Senior Citizen for Winona County in 2000 and spent most of his spare time working at the senior center. Lloyd also enjoyed wood working. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Lloyd Hemming lived a life or purpose while holding his loved ones near. He was a man of great character, strong moral convictions, and an abiding faith that were his constant companions. Deeply devoted to others, Lloyd served his country, his community, and those in need around him, with a spirit of compassion that is to be admired. Life will never be the same without Lloyd here, but his memory will be forever cherished by all who were blessed to know and love him. Lloyd A. Hemming, of St. Charles, died Sunday, May 11, 2014. Lloyd's family includes his son, Donald (Bonnie) Hemming of Hackensack; daughters, Linda (Ralph) Myhre of Osseo, WI and Deborah Allen of Robbinsdale; grandchildren, Kari Voigt, Cori Hemming, Larissa Laufenberg, Marcus Burns, Drew Koontz, Jennifer Koontz; great-grandchildren, Brooke Voigt, Bryan Voigt, Brandon Voigt, Parker Laufenberg, Graeme Laufenberg, Emerson Burns, Alexis Hemming, Nevaeh Koontz and Brock Koontz; brother, Ronald (Merle) Hemming of Spokane, WA; and half sister, Joanne Hemming of Inchelium, WA. Lloyd was preceded in death by his half sister, Denise, and half brother, Loren. A Celebration of Lloyd's life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in St. Charles with the Reverend Heather E. Klason officiating. Burial will follow in Saratoga Cemetery. Friends may call from noon until time of services at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic Service at 1 p.m. Thursday. The St. Charles Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion posts will provide military graveside honors. Please share a memory of Lloyd and view his Tribute Video at www.hofffuneral.com. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jim Braun, Brian Voigt, Brandon Voigt, Marcus Burns, Darwin Morrill and Ken Voigt.