Marian D. Hammes

Miss Marian Hammes began her career in La Crosse as teacher of the rural room of the Campus School and then transferred to the Department of Elementary Education. There she initiated the Early Childhood Center which was dedicated in her name. It was said that Miss Hammes never lost the common touch when she taught methods of teaching to her students. Marian passed away in 2010 at the age of 94. Here is more information from her obituary about her outstanding life and career:

Marian was a 1934 graduate of Aquinas High School in La Crosse and continued her education at La Crosse Teachers College, receiving her teaching degree in Education. She then received her Master’s degree from Northwestern University and completed post-graduate work at Stanford University. Marian taught grades 1 through 8 in a one-room school, Medary School for eight years. She then started her 34-year career teaching at UW-La Crosse from 1945 to 1979, first in the Rural Room and then teaching and supervising teachers in elementary education. Marian was honored by having the Early Childhood Education Center dedicated to her in Feb. 1984.

She survived polio at the age of two and even though it disfigured her right arm, Marian didn’t let that stop her from accomplishing anything. She said she was always labeled, first as a cripple, then handicapped, then disabled, and finally physically challenged. Marian was not going to let a “label” define her; she was just “Marian“. She enjoyed writing poetry and short stories as well as watercolor painting and playing the piano. Marian was a religious and private woman who was an inspiration to many people.