Cole Hamm

Cole Hamm, sophomore at Doane College, and wide receiver for the Doane Football team lost his life on 1/12/2023. Cole graduated from Gretna High School in May of 2021 where he played the Tuba, competed in Power Lifting, and was a part of the Gretna United Methodist Church. Outside of his love for friends and family, Cole loved History and football, and most importantly, being a part of the Doane Football Team. Being a part of the Doane Football family brought him joy and a continued love for the game. He was the first one on the field and the last one off. Cole’s degree was in Business Ag and he planned to farm with his Uncle Ben and Grandpa Jerry after college. His love for football and farming didn’t stop him from also pursing his love for History with additional classes at Doane and striving for a double major in History. As family, we referred to him as “Cole the Great” or “Cole Man”. Cole also enjoyed his time with friends gaming and playing Legos. He also had a love for writing and has written several short stories we hope to publish for him one day!

Cole Matthew Hamm was born on April 24th, 2003 in Omaha, NE. Cole’s home was in Waverly, NE until 1st grade when he then transferred to Gretna, NE and graduated High School there. After graduation, he went to Doane Collage in Crete, NE. He was currently living at home in Firth, NE with his mom, step-dad, and step-brother while going to college fulltime and playing football. Left to cherish his memory are his dad Matthew Hamm of Lincoln; his mom and step-dad Jamie and Marty Rhoades and step-brother Brycen Rhoades of Firth; his sister Anna Hamm of Brookings, SD; and his step brother Jaden Kouba of Lincoln. Grandparents Barb and Jerry Howard of Barada; Nancy Rhoades of Nemaha; Karen and Mervin Hamm of Pender. Great Grandma Mary Parish of Shelby, NE. Uncle Ben and Aunt Krystal Howard of Barada. Aunt Jessica Howard of Falls City, NE. Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve Kitchen in Rhode Island. Aunt Pam and Uncle Jim Clifton of Omaha. Aunt Joni and Uncle Kevin Hingst of Emerson, NE. First Cousins Josie and Cody Friedly of DuBoise; Sam, Janie, and Robin Howard of Barada; Darcy, Eryn and Dayton Snethen of Falls City; Allie Trefes and Andrew Kitchen of Rhode Island; Brittany Clifton and Dylan Venteicher and Kelsey Clifton of Omaha. Taten and Mariah Hingst of Pierre, SD; Taysha Hingst in Norfolk, NE; Taryn Hingst of Norfolk, NE; Tamber and Tyson Peed of Page, NE. Additional Second cousins as well Great Aunts and Great Uncles.

Cole was preceded in death by Grandpa Martin Rhoades of Nemaha, NE. Great Grandparents Harold Parish of Shelby; Grandma Bob Howard of Barada; and Rose Deck of Norfolk and Ethel Hamm of Wayne, NE. Aunt Robin Gossman of Stella, NE; Uncle Rick Howard of Savannah, IL; Uncle Terry Howard of Barada, NE. Cole was also proceeded in death by his cat, Lexie and his dog, Luke.

A memorial service to celebrate Cole’s life will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 10:30am at the Gretna United Methodist Church in Gretna, NE. Food will be provided directly after the service at the church. No visitation will be held prior to the service. Casual attire requested. Cole’s body will be cremated and laid to rest at another date. Memorials will be used to setup a fund to be used at a later date.