Cal and John Hammel were married 04 Feb 1878 at Lyband, Iowa and then farmed near Postville, Iowa. They were the parents of 11 children.

Cal is remembered as a large woman with a laugh that could shake the room. She was also remembered as an excellent cook who would prepare tasty chicken and noodles in a big, cast iron pot.

She died from gangrene in her feet due to diabetes.

After Cal's death, John moved to town and lived with his widowed daughter Stella Cook.

The Postville Review, Friday, September 15, 1916:

Mrs. John Hammel - Susan Caroline Harris was born in Lybrand, Iowa, June 3, 1855, and died at her home in Postville, at 6:30 o'clock Sunday morning, Sept. 10, 1916, aged 61 years, 3 months, and 7 days.

She was married to John Hammel, Feb. 4, 1880, and settled on a farm near Bethel church which was the childhood home of Mr. Hammel. To this union was born 11 children, all of whom are living, as follows: Mrs. Stella Cook, Ralph, Mrs. Verna Stockman, Mrs. Bertha Folsom, Charles, Leonard, Mrs. Gusta Lawson, Earl, Mrs. Ruth Webster, Mrs. Ruby Lawson, all of whom live in Postville and vicinity excepting Ralph, Verna, and Charles who live in Milwaukee.

February 2, 1879, by profession of faith she joined the Bethel U.B. church. In October of last year they moved to Postville.

Hers has been a splendid life, fruitful and fragrant as a rose in June. She was loved by all who knew her. Truly it could be said of her, "Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord, and their works do follow them."

She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, 11 children, 12 grandchildren, 4 brothers, 4 sisters, her church and a host of friends and neighbors.

The funeral was held from the M.E. church in this city at two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. Hursch of Castalia. Interment in the Postville cemetery.

In this connection the family wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the friends and neighbors for their many kindly acts and comforting words during the illness and burial of our beloved wife and mother.