In Memory Of
Alvin B."Al" Hermsen
1928
2014
Alvin B."Al" Hermsen
January 31, 1928 — November 12, 2014
Alvin B. "Al" "Babe" Hermsen, 86, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2014.
He was born January 31, 1928, in David City, Nebraska, the son of Joseph Francis and Angeline Catherine (Seibold) Hermsen. He attended David City High School until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific during WW II. He would later graduate from High School. He began employment with the U.S. Postal Service in Ft. Collins, CO, retiring in 1976. After retirement, he graduated from a trade school in Neosho, Missouri, where he received certification in Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control. He would become very well recognized throughout the United States for his expertise in his field. He worked for the City of Topeka, retiring after 10 years of service. He was later self-employed in the field of Adult Education, retiring in 2000.
Al was baptized in St. Mary's Catholic Church, David City. NE. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and American Legion. He was also a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Al married Betty L. "Lisa" Hoagland on November 25, 1958 in Miami, OK. She survives. Other survivors include five daughters, Cheryl "Chae" (Joe) Williams, Sheridan, WY, Vicki (Sonny) Smith, Ridgecrest, CA, Jan Hermsen, Waldorf, MD, Jo Thornton, Kooskia, ID, and Rebecca Hermsen, Topeka; Francis Gersic (First Boy) and spouse Linda, Bokelia, FL; grandchildren, Ryan McCoy, Megan Russo, Amy Musteen, Scott McEntee, Matthew McCloskey, Lisa Wade, Cara and Cora Cobb, Laura Ostrowski, Karen Mize, Michelle Gersic, Christine Suskind, Susie Gersic and Camille Gersic; 36 great-grandchildren and one expected; four great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn Ducoff, Madera, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Stacey and great-grandson, Destind Tobe McFarlan, a sister, Kathleen Mackey, three brothers, Harold, Paul and Walter Hermsen and his canine companion, Rusty.
Alvin loved gardening, hunting and reading.
A funeral service with military honors will be 2 p.m., Monday, November 17, 2014 at the Mt. Hope Chapel, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka. Entombment will follow at Mt. Hope Mausoleum, Topeka. A rosary will be recited at 2 p.m., Sunday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. The family will receive friends following the rosary until 4 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to D.A.V., PO Box 67684, Topeka, KS 66622 or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
To leave a special message for Alvin's family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born January 31, 1928, in David City, Nebraska, the son of Joseph Francis and Angeline Catherine (Seibold) Hermsen. He attended David City High School until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific during WW II. He would later graduate from High School. He began employment with the U.S. Postal Service in Ft. Collins, CO, retiring in 1976. After retirement, he graduated from a trade school in Neosho, Missouri, where he received certification in Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control. He would become very well recognized throughout the United States for his expertise in his field. He worked for the City of Topeka, retiring after 10 years of service. He was later self-employed in the field of Adult Education, retiring in 2000.
Al was baptized in St. Mary's Catholic Church, David City. NE. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and American Legion. He was also a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Al married Betty L. "Lisa" Hoagland on November 25, 1958 in Miami, OK. She survives. Other survivors include five daughters, Cheryl "Chae" (Joe) Williams, Sheridan, WY, Vicki (Sonny) Smith, Ridgecrest, CA, Jan Hermsen, Waldorf, MD, Jo Thornton, Kooskia, ID, and Rebecca Hermsen, Topeka; Francis Gersic (First Boy) and spouse Linda, Bokelia, FL; grandchildren, Ryan McCoy, Megan Russo, Amy Musteen, Scott McEntee, Matthew McCloskey, Lisa Wade, Cara and Cora Cobb, Laura Ostrowski, Karen Mize, Michelle Gersic, Christine Suskind, Susie Gersic and Camille Gersic; 36 great-grandchildren and one expected; four great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn Ducoff, Madera, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Stacey and great-grandson, Destind Tobe McFarlan, a sister, Kathleen Mackey, three brothers, Harold, Paul and Walter Hermsen and his canine companion, Rusty.
Alvin loved gardening, hunting and reading.
A funeral service with military honors will be 2 p.m., Monday, November 17, 2014 at the Mt. Hope Chapel, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka. Entombment will follow at Mt. Hope Mausoleum, Topeka. A rosary will be recited at 2 p.m., Sunday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. The family will receive friends following the rosary until 4 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to D.A.V., PO Box 67684, Topeka, KS 66622 or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
To leave a special message for Alvin's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alvin B."Al" Hermsen, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, November 16, 2014
2:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Rosary
Sunday, November 16, 2014
2:00 - 2:30 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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