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Kenneth Hermsen
KENNETH HERMSEN
Independence
Kenneth A. Hermsen, 89, of Independence, died Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, at Buchanan County Health Care Center in Independence.
Kenneth was born Oct. 26, 1926, in Holy Cross, Iowa, the son of Alphonse L. and Olivia H. (Wernke) Hermsen. After completing his education at St. John Catholic Schools in Independence, Kenneth served in the U.S. Army for two years. He married Florence L. Naylor on June 26, 1948, at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence. He was a steadfast provider for his family and was employed with Chamberlain Manufacturing in Waterloo for 42 years before his retirement in 1989.
Ken enjoyed golf, boating, fishing and spending time with his family.
His family remembers Ken as a skilled card player, a fun-loving jokester who loved to tease his kids and grandkids, and as a proud father, grandfather and great- grandfather.
Ken was a devoted and loving husband for 67 years who never stopped appreciating his wife for her beauty, devotion to motherhood, and in recent years, her devoted nursing skills.
He is survived by his wife, Florence; four children, Larry Hermsen, Portland, Ore., Judie (Dennis Domsic) Hermsen, Iowa City, and Peg (Garry) Erger and Joanne (Tracy) Robertson of Independence; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Merlin Hermsen, Independence; and a sister, Anna Mae Strawn, Oelwein.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Dale Fischels; two brothers, Jim and John Hermsen; and a sister, Alvera Hickey.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence, with the Rev. Don Plamondon officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence. A rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and parish vigil service held at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with the arrangements.
To leave an online condolence, please go to www.reifffuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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