ST. PAUL — Herman E. "Hamie" Elstermeier, 93, of St. Paul died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2014, at home.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Carolyn Hellerich will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery at St. Paul. Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Elstermeier was born Feb. 13, 1921, on the family homestead in Hall County to Herman C. and Elsie (Nielsen) Elstermeier.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Robin and Janet of St. Paul; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Smoke Glinsmann of Ashton; his grandchildren and spouses, Jeff and Sherri Butters of Houston, Chris and Gina Elstermeier of St. Paul, Kathy and Steve Exon Jr. of Lincoln, Cindy and Scott Hinrichs of Hastings and Brandi Glinsmann of Ashton; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joy; his daughter Kathleen Butters; grandsons, Shawn and Todd Butters; sisters, Marie Elstermeier, Hulda Sorgenfrei and Florence Spiehs; and brother, Wilmer Elstermeier.

He was very proud of his family, and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the greatest joy of his life. He is further survived by several nieces and nephews.

His father was a German immigrant and his mother emigrated from Denmark. He was the youngest of 6 children born to this union.

Hamie grew up on the family homestead and assisted his father in the work on the farm during the drought years of the Depression. He also helped other farmers in the neighborhood as they needed help. He drove a horse-drawn bakery wagon for Buttercrust Bakery in Grand Island. He attended elementary school in Merrick County. He went to 9th and 10th grade at Seedling Mile School, and attended Grand Island Senior High, graduating in 1938. He then took classes in Grand Island and earned a diploma for farm engineering and management from LaSalle University from LaCrosse, Wis..

In 1944-45 Hamie worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Grand Island.

Hamie loved to dance and he was an excellent dancer. He and his friends attended many dances in the Grand Island area. He met and fell in love with Joy Loft, from Ord. They were married on June 20, 1943. To this union, three children were born, Kathleen Anne, Robin Eudell and Nancy Jane.

In 1949 Hamie and Joy purchased Blazek Floral Shop in St. Paul and they relocated to St. Paul.

They lived at the flower shop until moving to a residence in St. Paul. Hamie had always loved to grow flowers and arrange them, so Joy encouraged this adventure. He was an active member of the Nebraska Florist Society, where he served as president three separate times. He was a first inductee of the Nebraska’s Florists Hall of Fame. He encouraged all aspiring florists and assisted them in any way he could.

Hamie became involved in many civic activities and never knew a stranger. He was active in the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce and served as officers and committee members over the years. He cared about St. Paul and always strived to make things better for everyone. He served on the St. Paul City Council as well as the St. Paul School Board.

When Hamie and Joy moved to St. Paul, they visited several of the area churches but really wanted to find an American Lutheran Church for their church home. They found others who were interested and they helped to build the church and became charter members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where he remained active until his death. Over the years, he served in any capacity needed and assisted as he was able.

He loved to attend the county fairs and became involved with the Howard County Fair. He helped sell bonds to purchase the land where the present County Fair is held. He served as the secretary manager of the Howard County Fair for 47 years. He was also involved with the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers and was named Fair Man of the Year in 1984. He was instrumental in getting the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers convention moved to central Nebraska, where it continues to be held today. In 1988 he was honored in Las Vegas as the National Fair Man of the Year. He was very happy to see the State Fair moved to Grand Island.

Hamie and Joy worked hard to get the Howard County Hospital built in St. Paul and he remained a supporter of the Hospital Foundation. The employees of the Red Cross Bloodmobile knew him by name because he donated over 20 gallons of blood. He was a lifelong member of both the Eagles and the Platt Duetsche in Grand Island. He was a member of the St. Paul Masonic Lodge and the Nebraska Shriners. He grew a beautiful garden every summer as long as he was able. He loved sharing his produce with his neighbors and church family. He enjoyed Nebraska football and attended games as long as he was able. He loved hunting and fishing, especially with his son and grandson. He especially loved to hear and tell hunting and fishing stories. He enjoyed socializing with his friends at the meetings of Danish Brotherhood. He served as a public delegate on two Boards of the Department of Health and attended regular meetings in Lincoln.