John F. Hermanussen

March 15, 1920 - November 10, 2011 91, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2011. Born Johannes Franciscus Hermanussen in St. Antonis, Holland, on March 15, 1920, John was the third of six children. His father passed away when John was only 7 years old. He helped his mother raise his brothers and sister, worked on the family farm, and attended school. After World War II left little economic promise, John immigrated to America in 1949 and worked in agriculture in North Dakota. In 1956, John was visiting his hometown in Holland when he was introduced to Gerarda DeWild (Gerry). Gerry had also immigrated to the U.S. and was living in Wisconsin, but was coincidently visiting her hometown in Holland at the same time. Though they had grown up just 9 km away from each other, they had never met before this fateful introduction. When they both returned to the U.S., they corresponded by mail and visited each other before getting maried on April 19, 1958. They made a home in Lincoln, Nebraska, where John attended and worked at the University of Nebraska. They had four children, Francis (John), Maria, Michelle, and Suzanne. In 1972, the family moved to Lakewood, Colorado, where John worked for the Department of Agriculture at the Federal Center. John retired in 1982 and became a realtor and real estate investor, sharing his time between Arizona and Colorado. John's family grew as his children married and he became a doting grandfather nine times over: Brent and Bryce Hermanussen (John and Cheri), Jackson, Marlee and Sam Marcus (Maria and Brian), Zachary and Erica Sawicki (Michelle and Patrice), and Jacob and Jarrod Rivera (Suzanne and Rich). Family was of paramount importance to him and he cherished his time with the kids and the grandkids. Though he enjoyed playing cards, lawn bowling, following the stock market, solving Sudoku puzzles, and reading the paper, he could spend hours looking at pictures of the family or recounting favorite stories and memories. For the past 15 years, John had some health issues but was a strong man, beating the odds several times. In September, he was diagnosed with liver cancer, yet he felt well enough to travel to San Francisco to meet his two youngest grandchildren. He was also able to see his eldest grandson go off to college. He was free of pain and at home until just the last few days. He maintained his sense of humor throughout and was entertaining the nurses from his hopital bed. In his final days, he was able to see or talk with all of his family, including his only surviving brother, Theo, who still resides in Holland. He passed away peacefully in his sleep with his loving wife of 53 years and his devoted daughter at his side. His time here was a gift that we will always cherish. May he rest in peace. THE FALLEN LIMB A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don't worry about falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes we're together again." Author Unknown A funeral mass in his honor will be held on Monday, November 21, 2011, at 10:30 A.M. at Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church in Lakewood. A private family graveside committal service will immediately follow the mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: The John Hermanussen Memorial Tree Fund (A tree planted near his resting place in his memory), 16401 Aliante Dr., Broomfield, CO 80023 OR Your local Food Bank