Virgil Herman
Virgil C. Herman, 84, of Waukon died Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 3 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. Burial with military rites was held at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Virgil Carlton Herman was born January 20, 1934 on a farm near Waukon. His parents were John and Alice (Sanderson) Herman. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1952. Virgil’s father died at a young age, so along with his brother and uncles he helped operate the family farm from the age of 11. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for a year.
Virgil met the love of his life, Darlena Ehde, in 1954 and they courted by mail during his time in the service. Following his discharge they were married September 29, 1957 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. They started farming together on the family farm and after a few years moved to a farm they purchased from C.H. Hagen, where Virgil operated a dairy farm and later raised beef cattle. After retiring from full-time farming, he sold seed corn and drove truck for Waukon Feed Ranch. Even after selling the farm to Rusty Berger, he maintained an active interest in its operation.
Virgil was re-baptized and joined the Seventh-Day Adventist Church where he served as an Elder, taught Bible study, and was a mentor and inspiration to many people. He was a very active member in Farm Bureau, serving as a director for 24 years along with holding other offices and being on numerous committees. In 2015 he received the Allamakee County Pioneer Dairyman award.
Virgil’s hobbies included fishing at the Mississippi River, hunting and bowling. He was an avid reader and devoted to Bible study. He also enjoyed watching westerns and sporting events on television.
Survivors include his wife, Darlena, of Waukon; his children, Stanley (Ellen) of Center Point and Susan (Wayne) Erickson of Aurora, IL; his grandchildren, Amanda and Adam (Rachel) Herman and Kyle Erickson; his great-grandchildren, Alice, Bailee and Cullen; three sisters: Shirley (Charles) Rosendahl of La Crescent, MN, Arleen McGuire of Hiawatha and Margaret Kruse of Eitzen, MN; a sister-in-law, Margaret Herman; and a brother-in-law, Hilmen Christianson. He is preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Jason and Emily Erickson; a brother, Alton Herman; and a sister, Lillian Christianson.
Casketbearers were Brad Berns, Rusty Berger, Brian Bieber, Tim Steffenson, Mark Knudtson, Jason Hackman, Dan Shogren and Mark Stock. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
