Reginald Hermsen, age 96, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side in Little Chute on January 19, 2023.  He was born in Little Chute on December 14, 1926, to the late Jack and Delia (Janssen) Hermsen.  He was the oldest of nine children and much loved and looked up to by his younger brothers and sisters.

Dad married Nancy Thelen at St. Mary's Church on September 11, 1948, and was blessed to spend the next 43 years with her.  He joined the U.S. Navy on his 18 ^th birthday, trained at the Great Lakes Naval Academy, eventually being assigned to the U.S.S. Turner out of Boston.  He proudly served in World War II before returning to Little Chute to begin raising his family with the love of his life.

Dad's greatest pride and joy was his family and faith. He loved mom and missed her terribly upon her passing.  He was blessed to meet an amazing woman in Martha Clarke who he married in 1997.  After living 20 years in Florida he moved back to Wisconsin where he was surrounded by and showered with love from his kids, grandkids and siblings, and he returned it ten-fold.  We were so blessed to have him.  He taught us the importance of enjoying the simple things and putting our families first!

The tears we cry today are for our tremendous loss, but the tears we shed for Dad are tears of joy and peace because he is home where he longed to be.

Dad is survived by his children:  Mary Novak,  Jean (Gary) VandeHey, Mark (Ann) Hermsen, Dave (Mary Jo) Hermsen,  Joan Hermsen-Biese, Sue (Jim) Agen; his grandchildren:  Jenny Vande Voort, Angie (Neal) Villarin, Casey (Jay) Walker, Michael (Jess) Novak, Allen Smith, Aaron (Vicki) VandeHey, Stacy (Matt) Hietpas, Megan VandeHey, Adam (Chelsea) VandeHey, Ben (Erika) Hermsen, Leah Hutchins, Kayla Hermsen, Brett (Jess) Hermsen, Tyra (Kevin) Grinvalsky, Trisha Hermsen, Elizabeth (Ben) Laufenberg, Josh (Krysta) Biese, Ryan (Krystal) Biese, Anna Biese, and Noah Agen; his great grandchildren:  Jordan (Lesly) Delvaux, Alex DaGraca and Jack Delvaux, Nick, Caitlyn and Bennett Villarin, Soul and Nadia Dorsey, Sydney, Cal and Quentin Walker,  Cali Stearn, Lennon and Livia Novak, Isaac and Luke VandeHey, Reed, Emma and Riley Hietpas, Mabel, Margaret and Miriam Vandehey, Gwen and Mae Hermsen, Quinn and Frank Hutchins, Abby and Connor Hermsen, Adelaide Laufenberg, Madison and Raelynn Biese; his great-great grandchildren, Naomie, James, Alex, Iliana, Xavier and River; his siblings:  Joanie Milhaupt, Audrey Pire, Lori Staniak, Jeanie Hermus and Don (Diane) Hermsen; sisters-in-law Pat Hermsen and Ginny Knutsen.

In addition to his parents, Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; son-in-law, Tom Novak; his siblings:  Gladys (Art) Schmidt, Lois (Tom) Knutsen, and Roger Hermsen; brothers-in-law: Larry Milhaupt, Bill Pire, Tom Staniak, and Rudy Hermus; nephews: Chuck Milhaupt and Bob Hermus.

Please join us in celebrating dad's life on Monday, January 23, 2023, at ST. JOHN'S CHURCH (411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute).  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with the service beginning at noon with the Rev. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen officiating.  The Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258 will conduct military honors immediately following the service.   Committal St. John Cemetery.  To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity that meant a lot to dad:  American Diabetes Association, Spina Bifida Association or the Outagamie County Veterans Treatment Court.  Donations for the treatment court can be sent to Chelsea Neimuth, Veterans Court Treatment Coordinator, 320 South Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911.