Gerald A. Hermsen

Jerry (Gerald A.) Hermsen

Born July 21, 1915 in Little Chute, Wisconsin to the late George and Joanna (Gloudeman) Hermsen, Jerry married Agnes L. Sensenbrenner at St. Patrick’s Parish Church in Menasha on July 7, 1941.

In 1981 Jerry retired from American Can Company (formerly Menasha Products Company and later Marathon Corporation) after 43 years in marketing and sales. His forté was cheese packaging. He took a short marketing course from Harvard University which led to his becoming the National Market Manager in Performance Packaging. As such he made frequent trips to destinations in Japan, Mexico, Germany, Holland, England, Ireland, Finland, France, Italy and Israel as well as throughout the United States. In retirement he became a consultant to James River Corporation helping to introduce a cellulose product for the food industry.

As a member of the Marathon Corporation Quarter Century Club, he continued to enjoy meeting with old friends and new acquaintances at the group’s annual meetings as well as other retired friends who met monthly in Menasha for lunch. Jerry was also a member of the Green Bay Retired Men’s Club and thoroughly enjoyed attending weekly meetings of this group. In addition, Jerry delighted in attending weekly Friday luncheons with other local retired individuals.

During World War II he spent three years with the United States Army Air Corp after studying at Louisiana State University, and performed duty in the China-Burma-India Theatre while assigned to the 33rd Fighter Group (a.k.a “The Flying Tigers”) stationed in India. While there he was awarded two bronze battle stars for his participation in the Chittagong, India and Myitkyina, Burma campaigns against the Japanese invaders.

Jerry was a longtime member and usher serving at St. Francis Xavier Congregation in DePere. While there he was a Minister of Hospitality for many years. He held a 50 year membership certificate to the Catholic Order of Foresters, Roster 450, Little Chute Wisconsin. He was also a member of the Elks while living in Menasha. After retirement he became a volunteer for the Green Bay “Meals on Wheels” program.

Jerry enjoyed working in his yard, fishing, and was an ardent Packer fan, seldom missing a home game during over 50 years as a season ticket holder.

He is survived by three children: Thomas (Judie) Hermsen, Barrington, IL.; Barbara (John) Lamb, Wauwatosa, WI.; and Tria (Jeff) Jensen of Pinellas Park, FL.; four grandchildren: Mark (Joy) Hermsen, Jessica (Mike) Vahey, Sara (Fran) Hurtado, and Kaitlin Lamb; five great-grandchildren: Annelise and Zöe Hermsen, Anderson and Avery Vahey; and Amaia Hurtado, sisters: Lorraine Schwinn of Wayzata, MN., Joan Groh of Milwaukee, Rosalie Miller of St. Louis Park, MN., Imelda Kandler of Little Chute, WI., Marge Miller of Appleton, WI., plus brothers: Bernard (Barbara) Hermsen of Glenview, IL., and Paul (Lois) Hermsen of Kaukauna, WI.; and sister-in-law Barbara Cashman of Phoenix, AZ., in addition to numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Agnes L. Hermsen (Sensenbrenner), his parents Ann and George, parents-in-law Rudy and Barbara Sensenbrenner, brother Joseph Hermsen and sister Mary (Hermsen) Van Thiel, and in-laws Bob Kandler, Robert “Bud” and Margaret “Toots” Williams, Dr. Ernie Miller, Bob Miller, Tony Groh, Carleton and Mary Jane Grode, Owen and Lu Sensenbrenner, Bob and Dougie Sensenbrenner, and Jim and Lucille Sensenbrenner.

The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 10:30 AM at St. Norbert College Parish (Old St. Joseph Church) on the campus of St. Norbert College in West DePere with Fr. John H. Harper (Peshtigo) officiating. Friends may call at St. Norbert College Parish beforehand for visitation from 9:00 AM until the time of service on that Saturday. Private internment later at St. John Cemetery in the town of Little Chute.

Cotter Funeral Home in DePere is assisting the family with arrangements (920-336-8702). In lieu of flowers, kindly consider contributions to the American Diabetes Association in Memory of Gerald Hermsen (donations.diabetes.org) 800-342-2383.


The family would like to thank Treedle Waldkirch, Kathy Mallon, Mary Wenzel and the staff members of Bellin Health and The Rennes Group for the kind care and attention given to Dad.