Jerome E. Hermanson
Jerome E. Hermanson, 86, Lake Mills, passed away Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 at his home in Lake Mills. A public visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14, at Schott Funeral Homes – Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills. Private family services will take place at a later time.
Jerome Ellis Hermanson was born July 5, 1935 near Kiester, MN to parents Emil and Ruth (Olson) Hermanson. Jerome graduated from Scarville High School in 1953. On Sept. 22, 1956, he was united in marriage to Judith (Peterson). To this union, four children were born: Mary, Jeffrey, Lori, and Kathy. The couple started their married life living in Albert Lea, Minn., for about two years before moving to Lake Mills, where they have been residents ever since. While in Albert Lea, Jerome worked for a couple electric motor repair businesses before starting Hermanson Motor Service in Lake Mills in the early 80’s. He continued to stay in business for over 30 years until his retirement.
When Jerome wasn’t tinkering at work, you could most often find him tinkering with something at home. Whether it was building his own car, the “Raccoon Racer,” or building guitars from cigar boxes, Jerome never ran out of projects! He was a motorcycle enthusiast, the ’78 Suzuki GS1000E being a favorite. Some of his hobbies included: collecting and fixing antique radios, flying remote control airplanes, and building and shooting black powder guns. Besides collecting, Jerome also enjoyed reading anything he could get his hands on, but Western Novels were his absolute favorite – Louis L’amour being his favorite author.
Together, Judy and Jerome enjoyed many trips to the Mississippi River and to Colorado riding a Kawasaki 90 motorcycle. Above all, the couple enjoyed time spent with their family. Jerome especially loved to play with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jerome will be missed by his wife of nearly 65 years, Judy Hermanson; children: Mary (Dennis) Regier, Jeffrey (Marlene) Hermanson, Lori (Robert) McLaughlin, and Kathy ( Lynn) Rosen; grandchildren: Dan (Mackinze) Bromley, Curran (Skye) McLaughlin, Toni Tekippe, Mike (Kellie) Rosen, Derek (Emily) Rosen, Chelsey (Nathan) Ostrander, Zach Peterson, Tyrell Hermanson, Tel Hermanson, Justin (Molly) Regier, Alyssa Benson, Stacy Russeff (Klint Camp), and Kenda (Aaron) Fink; great-grandchildren: Hailey, Theodora, Josephine, Cassidy, Odin, Olivia, Ethan, Grace, Hayden, Callen, Madeline, Geneva, Jersey, Beckett, Asa, and Kaylen; a sister, Donna Watkins; as well as many loving extended relatives and friends.
Jerome is preceded in death by both parents, Emil and Ruth Hermanson; a sister, Shirley VanKamen; and brothers, Ronald and John Hermanson.
