Obituary: Stephanie Gail Hammitt

Stephanie Gail Hammitt, 60, of Cloquet, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at her home. She was born on Oct. 22, 1962, to Peter and Priscilla (Roy) Defoe in Minneapolis. She was raised in Cloquet, attending Leech Elementary, Cloquet middle, and Cloquet high schools.

During her childhood, she was an active member of the school band. Her clarinet talents were on display in the Indian Honor Band that brought her to perform at an NFL game in Washington, D.C.

She graduated from high school in 1980 and furthered her education at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she earned her bachelor's degree in accounting in 1984.

Stephanie married Brian Hammitt on June 7, 1986, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, where she was a lifelong member. The two made their home in Cloquet. She served the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College for more than 30 years. She served as vice president of finance administration, two terms as chief financial officer (1990-1996 and 2008-2016), and board member and chair of the board of directors. She was made interim president of the college in 2018, earning the title of president in 2019. She was very honored to become the first woman to hold that position. Stephanie also had an active role on several local boards, including the United Way, at schools, and hockey associations.

She was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Wild.

She was also a dirt track race fan, initiated by trips to the track with her father and later reinforced as she watched her own children race.

Stephanie loved cross-stitching and other crafts that became treasured gifts for family and friends. She was also known to have a deep love of Christmas and made it a goal to add to her decorations and lights each year (much to the frustration of her husband).

Stephanie was most proud of her family, especially loving the title of Nana to her grandchildren, with whom she loved spending time, reading books, and going on adventures.

Stephanie is survived by her husband, Brian; children, Matthew Hammitt (Annissa Peterson), Christopher (Alyssa) Hammitt, Jonathon Hammitt (Tonya Kloos), and Annika Hammitt (Tanner Hicks); grandchildren, Eli, Adeline, Becket, Kolbe, and newborn Cordelia; sister, Michelle (Robert) LaFave; several nieces and nephews; parents-in-law, Roland and Barbara Hammitt; and beloved dog, Brutus. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jesse on April 25, 1995; grandparents, Peter and Margaret DuFault and David and Christina Roy; grandparents-in-law, Gerald and Helen Hammitt and George and Edna Oraskovich; and brother-in-law, Rick DeBolt.

Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery. A lunch reception will be at the Fond du Lac Head Start gymnasium.

A scholarship fund in Stephanie's honor will be established by the family. Donations are encouraged in lieu of flowers.

Pine Knot News, Nov. 18, 2022