Louise Hammonds Rothston, 93, North Manchester, passed away at 12:01 a.m., Jan. 28, 2018, at Timbercrest Retirement Community, North Manchester, due to complications from a stroke. Daughter of Sherman and Clara Malinda (Moser) Baker, Rothston was born on March 29, 1924, in a small house on 2nd Street, in North Manchester.

As a child, Rothston enjoyed helping her grandparents on their farm in Liberty Mills. She also enjoyed catching fish in the Eel River, when she lived on Riverside. Rothston was very active in sports and was the catcher on her older brother’s neighborhood baseball team.

After graduating from Central High School in 1942, Rothston eloped with the love of her life, Leslie Hammonds July 11, 1942.  He was drafted into the Army Air Force six months later, during WWII, so they endured being apart for the greater part of the next two years. They were married for 53 years before Mr. Hammonds passed away in September 1995.

In 2001, Rothston met Jim Rothston. They were married five years and enjoyed traveling until he passed away in 2006. In 2014, Rothston moved back to North Manchester, to stay with her daughter Susie, after she had a serious car accident. She had lived in Florida for 38 years. The past three years Louise has enjoyed grandchildren, shopping and plays. She was a member of the Congregational Christian Church in North Manchester.

The loving memory of Louise Hammonds Rothston will be forever remembered by her two sons, Dr. Max (Cari) Hammonds, Hendersonville, N.C.; and Roger Lee Hammonds Sr., Conroe, Texas; three daughters: Marty Quance, Warsaw; Ruth Elaine (Ted) Hamilton, Deland, Fla.; and Susie Scott, Silver Lake; one brother, Sherman Eugene (Caroline) Baker, Charleston, S.C.; eighteen grandchildren, thirty-nine great-grandchildren and nineteen great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are several step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sherman and Clara Malinda Baker; husband, Leslie Hammonds, second husband, James Rothston; one brother, Arthur Ray Baker; one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.

Family and friends may call from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. A celebration of life service will begin at 4 p.m. at McKee Mortuary. Pastor J.P. Freeman will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester.

Memorial contributions can by made to Prater Food Pantry, 310 North Walnut Street, North Manchester, IN 46962