Roy F. Hermsen

Roy F. Hermsen, age 81, of Bloomington, died on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at UW Hospitals in Madison. He was born on July 2, 1929, in Bloomington, the son of Edward J. and Magdeline Lena (Maiers) Hermsen. Roy graduated Bloomington High School in 1947. He married Mary Jane Rogers on November 9, 1950, at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington. Roy was drafted into the United States Army in 1951, during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1953. It was in that same year that Roy became a partner in E.J. Hermsen and Sons in Bloomington. Hermsens Ace Hardware has proudly been in the Hermsen family since 1942. Roy was a lifetime member of St. Marys Catholic Church and a member of Abraham Hickok Wetmore American Legion Post No. 148 of Bloomington. He donated his time and effort to many Bloomington organizations. Roy was devoted to his family and operating the family business, which was his favorite hobby and past time.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Hermsen; his children: Daniel (Julie) Hermsen; Sue (Jim) Bausch; Jane (Greg) Patterson; grandchildren: David (Jessica) Hermsen; Jen (Brian) Thiry; Kate (Scott) Bunge; Steve (Angie Bausch) Gotto; Megan (Greg) Miles; Michael (Nicole) Patterson; Carolyn (Hans) Christiansen; and Christine Patterson; his great-grandchildren: Ava, Zachary, Jaxson, Brady, Brock, Brielle, Isaac and one on the way; a sister, Charlotte Kluesner; and many nieces and nephews.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Alfred and Edward Jr., four sisters: Marie Leamy, Lucille Hermsen, Delores Willoughby, and a sister in infancy.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial with military honors was in St. Marys Cemetery, Bloomington. Family and friends called on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church where a 2:45 p.m. parish scripture service will be held. Friends also called on Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Roy F. Hermsen memorial fund has been established. Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington is serving the family.