In Loving Memory
Andrew C. Hermanson
March 4, 1932 - October 31, 2019

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, Iowa.

VISITATION
Thursday, November 7, 2019
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, Iowa

SERVICE
Friday, November 8, 2019
11:00 A.M.
Bethany Lutheran Church
Spencer, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Jennifer Henry

INTERMENT
Crown Hill Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

Andrew Christian Hermanson was born March 4, 1932, in Emmetsburg, Iowa to Theodore and Wilhelmina (Henningsen) Hermanson. He was baptized on March 27, 1932 and confirmed June 2, 1946 at Lost Island Lutheran Church in rural Ruthven. He attended country school in Lost Island township, graduating from 8th grade in 1946 and Ruthven High School in 1950. Andy farmed with his dad until October, 1951, when he volunteered for the Army and served in Germany until 1953. He returned to the Hermanson farm (now a century farm) and attended school under the G.I. Bill of Rights.

In November, 1958, he and Elaine Bierstedt were married at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Fairville, Iowa. They farmed on the family farm until retiring in 1991 when they moved to Ruthven. At that time, they joined Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, Iowa. They were the parents of three children, Sharon (Beat) Gisler of Oslo, Norway, Janelle (Dennis) Purdy of Solon, Iowa and Micheal (Juli) of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. They have four grandchildren: Rachel (Shelton) Strickler of Mason City, Iowa, Kristen Purdy of Amelia Island, Florida and Katelyn and Andrew Hermanson.

Farming was Andy's love, but he also served on various boards such as rural youth and County Farm Bureau. He was also the township assessor for twenty years, held offices at the local creamery, elevator coop, and the Ruthven library. He was also very active in the church, serving as president of Lost Island church, teaching Sunday School as well as midweek youth religion classes. He also served on the Lutheran Church Disaster Response Board and the Ruthven Community Care Center Board. Andy loved having coffee with his friends in Ruthven and telling a good joke as well as playing a few games of cards. But the greatest joy for Andy and Elaine was knowing that their children appreciated their education and were active members of their church and community.

Andy passed away Thursday, October 31, 2019, at the Ruthven Community Care Center at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Richard Hermanson, Ruth Ann (Bill) Sayre, Peg (Woody) Rowlands, Vera Mae (Weber) Ziegler, David (Judy) Hermanson as well as his sister-in-law, Delores Bierstedt and one nephew. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, children and grandchildren, sister-in-law, Virginia Hermanson of Johnston, Iowa, brother-in-law, James (Dee Ann) Bierstedt of Fenton, Iowa and sister-in-law, Jean (Darwin) Leek of Marshall, Minnesota, as well as fourteen nieces and seven nephews.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home