September 05th, 2018

​Hans Joachim Lampert
Hans Joachim Lampert, 88, of the Deer Lodge Valley and later Butte, passed away on the morning of August 29, 2018, after a long struggle from the effects of diabetes. Hans was born April 10, 1930, in Altenburg, Germany to parents Kurt Erich Lampert and Marie Anna Lampert. Born during the economic and political instability of the Weimar Republic and coming of age during WWII; helped to shape Hans’ outlook on life. Hans was trained as a carpenter and attended the police academy.  Hans served as a journeyman and then master carpenter for the many construction projects needed to rebuild his war-torn homeland. He met and married Ingeborg Irma Schultz, his one and only love in Treuenbritzen, East Germany on July 5, 1952.  Their wedding was delayed due to having to wait for the steam car to heat up.
Shortly after their wedding they escaped from East Germany for life in the West. They lived in Kreuznach, West Germany for six years awaiting permission to immigrate to America. In 1959 he immigrated to America not knowing the language or anything about ranching.  The great-nephew of John Hofmann of the Deer Lodge Valley; Hans inherited the Hofmann Ranch near Warm Springs with his aunt, Martha Noack.   His carpentry skills served him well in this new land they would call home. Hans worked as a carpenter in the Anaconda Smelter, and then the Milwaukee Railroad. He also worked on the Tavener Ranch north of Deer Lodge, for the highway department, helped build the sawmill in Deer Lodge, and then as a Carman for the Milwaukee Road. Hans and Inge came to Montana on what they affectionately call their honeymoon since they didn’t plan to stay. Their original plan was to see the land, work, and save up enough money for the return trip. In 1972, they packed up their two children and headed to Germany to visit family.  They considered this trip to be the end of their honeymoon.  They had fallen in love with their new homeland of America.  In 1976, during the bicentennial celebrations, they became naturalized citizens and continued farming and ranching until moving to Butte in 2010.  He was open to the generosity and kindness of neighbors to show him the ropes and tried to pass on that same kindness to others.   Brave and adventurous, he had a great sense of humor, loved his family, and knew the value of hard work. He was proud of his accomplishments, felt blessed, and never took life for granted.  Remembered as a gentle soul, he will be missed by many. 
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Inge Lampert (Schultz), brother Peter Lampert of Altenburg, Germany; son Hans Lampert, (Angel), daughter Kay Lampert Farmer (John) of Tuttle, Okla. Grandchildren:  Corey Lampert (Britney) of Great Falls; Kathryn Shackleton; Hans Joachim Lampert (grandson) of Anaconda; Joshua Paul Farmer (Jessica) of Park City, Kans., Sarah Elizabeth Gragg (Alex) of Norman, Okla. and great-grandchildren: Ethan Farmer and  Joseph Blackburn.
He was preceded in death by his son Roy Joachim Lampert, parents Kurt and Maria Lampert.
Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 410 Missouri Ave., Deer Lodge, MT 59722, Friday, September 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. with reception lunch and life celebration to follow. 
Memorials can be made to the Butte Chapter of the Blind, 915 West Gold St. Butte,  MT or St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deer Lodge.
So nigh is grandeur to our dust, so near is God to man, when Duty whispers low, Thou must. The youth replies I can.

---