Francis Ambrose Hermsen

Francis Ambrose Hermsen, 88, Manchester, Iowa, passed away Monday, January 20, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. He was born July 22, 1931, in Farley, to Frank and Olive (Schaul) Hermsen.

On September 10, 1957, Francis was united in marriage to Inez Goedken at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg. Seven children were born to this union. They farmed near Masonville. In 1998, the couple retired to Manchester.

Francis was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, Catholic Order of Foresters, and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed watching Iowa Hawkeye basketball and St. Louis Cardinal baseball and was an avid Euchre player.

Francis is survived by his wife, Inez of Manchester; children, Allan (Ann) Hermsen of Manchester, Gary (Nancy) Hermsen and Kevin (Bev) Hermsen, all of Masonville, Julie (Brian) Buckallew of Urbandale, Jane Oglesby (friend Todd Hines) of Center Point, and Lisa (Todd) Grawe of Urbana; 16 grandchildren, Adam (Renee) Hermsen, Alison (Nate) Kass, Austin (Tiffany) Hermsen, Jes (Ned) Skoglund, Sara Elledge, Matt Hermsen, B.J. (Karli) Hermsen, Jenna Hermsen, Megan (Josiah) Linberger, Nathan Buckallew, Madie (Ben) Lechtenberg, Paige (Nick) Drucker, Ryan Wilkin, Rachel Grawe, Alex Grawe, and Brody Grawe; 12 great-grandchildren, Hudson, Lyvia, Abby, Katie, Lily, Leo, Kyler, June, Reed, Grant, Lane, and Mason, with three on the way; siblings, Rosemary Rahe, Alvin (Doris) Hermsen, and Dennis (Nancy) Hermsen; and siblings-in-law, Theresa Hermsen, Germaine Goedken, Norma Brunsman, Valeria Bockenstedt, Carol (Dale) Clemen, Laverne (Patsy) Goedken, and Marilyn Goedken.  

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; son, Loras (1979); great-grandson, Paul Kass; son-in-law, Mike Oglesby; siblings, Elmer (Eileen) Hermsen, Jerry (Betty Gassman) Hermsen, and Clarence Hermsen; and siblings-in-law, Tony Rahe, Gilbert Goedken, Helen (Emil) Wilgenbusch, Stella (Leo) Demmer, Vernon Brunsman, Mary Lou (Elmer) Engelken, Irvin Bockenstedt, John Goedken, and Patty (Marv) Rolfes.

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