Lydia Guerrero Hamm

Lydia Guerrero Hamm, 80, of Hudson, Iowa, died on Oct. 22, 2021, in Madison, Wis. The daughter of the Rev. Dr. Aquilino and Ester Runes Guerrero, Lydia (Lee) was born Sept. 2, 1941, in the province of La Union, Philippines. While attending the University of the Philippines, her father was commissioned as Associate Director of the Ecumenical Center for World Missionaries for four years, bringing the family to Stony Point, N.Y.

Lee graduated from the University of Dubuque where she was an active member of the Speech, Debate and Theatre Clubs, Chapel and Concert choirs, Foreign Students programs, school paper contributor, and Gamma Phi Delta sorority. She studied at Columbia University and its Teachers College branch in New York City for a year and a half. Lee joined the faculty at Philippine Christian University’s English/Speech Department in Manila as instructor and theatre director.

After 4 years, intent on continuing her studies in the U.S., she took a freighter with limited passengers stopping in many cities of several Asian countries. Upon arrival in California was an offer based on a previous application to teach at Union-Whitten High School in Iowa. It was a great learning experience with the help of her students and administration and was highlighted by the girls’ team winning the coveted state basketball championship.

She met Boyd (Bud) in Union and they were later married at Rutgers Presbyterian Church in New York City. The couple lived in South Tama where both were employed, with her husband’s 5- and 7-year-old sons, Mark and Steve, and a year later their daughter Angela was born. Lee received her U.S. citizenship in October 1973 among 75 other immigrants. A group from the community traveled to Cedar Rapids District Court to witness the ceremony and the Mayor gave her a pack of 10 nice cuts of Iowa’s “best steaks.” It was a meaningful event that Lee cherished with great pride and gratitude throughout her life.

The family moved to Grundy Center and lived there until the boys graduated, and then settled in Hudson and became members of the Community Church. Her husband continued teaching at La Porte City High School and Lee for 28 years at Orange Elementary School in Waterloo until retirement. Parents and volunteers helped in so many special ways working together with staff to enhance student success.

Lee received a Master of Arts Degree in Education from UNI, was a 2-year member of the Advisory Committee and had articles published in the Iowa Educational Leadership Journal and the National Consortium on Environmental Education. The family enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and the latest was with her brother and his wife on a memorable tour of Pearl Harbor. She joined education group tours to a few countries in Europe after retirement but was more content in her tiny corner of the world.

Lee was preceded in death by Bud, her husband of 45 years; grandparents; parents; and her special U.S. parents, Uncle George and Auntie Charing. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Angela (Dan) Kellogg of Oregon, Wis.; stepsons Stephen (Stephanie) Hamm of Spring, Texas; Mark (Leslie) Hamm of San Diego, Calif.; three grandsons and five step-grandchildren; her brother Dr. Lemuel (Cora) Guerrero of Winetka, Calif., and other close relatives in the U.S. and Philippines.

Memorial: Any act that honors Veterans and the military. Lee’s family was among thousands that fled to a small, barren land during World War II. American soldiers built and established schools, governments, roads, and more countrywide, and Lee was forever grateful for their heroic sacrifices and spirit.

Internment: A private family service will be held at Union Cemetery. Locke Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences can be left for the family at www.lockefuneralhome.com