Mark S. "Harry" Hermsen, 1956-2010

HERMSEN, RAHE, SCHROEDER, PINK, BEACHLER, BELL

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 2/23/2015 at 17:05:29

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Friday, July 9, 2010

FARLEY, Iowa - Mark S. "Harry" Hermsen, 53, of Farley, died at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at home, following a short, courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 10, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Farley, with the Rev. Dennis Cain and the Rev. John P. Ptacek concelebrating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Farley. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Reiff Funeral Home, Farley, where there will be a wake service at 4:30 p.m.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1956, in Dubuque, son of Elmer and Eileen (Rahe) Hermsen. He received his education at St. Joseph's Catholic School, Farley, until its closing, and graduated from Western Dubuque High School, Epworth, in 1975.

He married Darla Schroeder on Nov. 9, 1985, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Farley.

Mark was a heavy equipment operator for Civil Construction, Freeport, Ill., and was part-owner of Hermsen Brother's Excavating, Farley.

He was a kind, compassionate and caring person who always thought of others before himself. He was a perfectionist at whatever he did. His pride and joy were his wife and three children, who meant the world to him. Mark was a true outdoorsman who loved to garden, hunt and fish. He also loved the water, where you would find him every warm weekend with his family, boating on the Mississippi. He loved the beauty of nature.

Surviving are his wife of 24 years, Darla Hermsen; a son, Jesse Hermsen, a Naval officer stationed in San Diego; two daughters, Erika (special friend, Jim Brown) Hermsen, and Britney (special friend, Alex Ross) Hermsen, both of Farley; five brothers, Merlin (Sheila) Hermsen, of Long Grove, Duane (Jane) Hermsen, of Peosta, David (Becky) Hermsen and Martin (Tina) Hermsen, both of Farley, and Brian (Rose Marie) Hermsen, of New Vienna; three sisters, Ann (Steve) Pink, of Albuquerque, N.M., Marilyn (Bill) Beachler, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and Sandra (Dennis) Bell, of Indianola; his father-in-law, Bill Schroeder, of Farley; 12 brothers- and sisters-in-law, Pam (Mark) Fern, Randy (Annie) Schroeder, Bob Schroeder and Steve (Sharon) Schroeder, all of Farley, Mark (Linda) Schroeder and Sharon (Alfred) Grisanti, both of Dubuque, Pat (Ann) Schroeder, of Peosta, Mike (Linda) Schroeder, of Dyersville, Nancy (Tom) Brown, of Gardner, Kan., Tom (Janette) Schroeder, of Cedar Rapids, Brian Schroeder, of California, and Sam (special friend, Loleta) Schroeder, of Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a niece, Lindsey Rose Hermsen; a great-niece, Margaret Mary Ellen Wolfe; and his mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Schroeder.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family. They also suggest planting a bulb in Mark's memory.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

The family would like to thank the oncology staff at Medical Associates, Dr. Holm and Dr. Schultheis and staff, for the care and compassion they showed Mark and his family. The family would also like to thank everyone who sent cards and prayers to Mark during this difficult time. Also, thanks to Hospice of Dubuque, especially Dianne and Jennifer, and all the other nurses who helped care for Mark.