Claire Hermes

Claire Hermes was born May 24, 1921, in Summit Township, Fairmount, son of Frank and MaryAnne (Minnehan) Hermes. He was a 1938 graduate of Fairmount High School and was employed by the Social Security Administration in Baltimore. He returned home to farm with his father and continued to farm until 2009 when he retired.

In 1949, he married Evelyn Geisen at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fargo. They resided in rural Fairmount until 1985 when they moved to Fairmount. In 2002, Evelyn suffered a stroke and Claire provided loving care to her until his death.

Claire served as the township clerk for Fairmount Township for 39 years and was also a member of the Fairmount Township Zoning Committee. While his children were in school, he was a member of the Fairmount School Board for 15-years; a portion of the school was completed during that time. Claire also served as a member of the Richland County School Reorganization Committee and County School Board.

Along with his wife, Evelyn, Claire was a 4-H Leader of the Tenney 4-H club and served on the Wilkin County 4-H Leader's Council. He was instrumental in the formation of the Wilkin County 4-H Clover Fund and served as the co-chair for the initial fund drive.

Claire donated blood regularly and donated 11 gallons before his 1985 heart bypass stopped him from continuing. He was a charter member of the Fairmount Community Center Board which constructed the Fairmount Community Center. He was a member of St. Anthony's Church, Fairmount where he served as a trustee, a lay minister, rosary leader, and church council member. He also served as president of the Deanery I Church Council.

Claire had a prolific garden and enjoyed sharing his excess production with others. He enjoyed bird watching, reading, fishing, and playing cards with his family. He also enjoyed spending time with family at the lake cabin on Deer Lake.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Evelyn, his seven children: Dr. Rebecca Hafner-Fogarty (Jerry Fogarty), Avon, MN; Claire (Donald) Althoff, Mooreton, ND; Pamela Hermes (Frank Dooley) West Lafayette IN; Greg (Lona) Hermes, Oakes ND; Amy (Patrick) Smellie, Shelby Township, MI; Laurie (Kipp) Hogan, Eastport, NY; Mary (Greg) Dahl, Lake Tomahawk, WI. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Nancy Hafner Steffan, Karen and Brian Hafner; Chris, Kyle, and Katie Althoff; Sarah and Anne Dooley; David and Jacob Smellie, Sean, Ryan, and Samantha Hermes, Marcie and Sam Hogan; and 5 great grandchildren.

He is also survived by two brothers: Gabriel, Breckenridge, MNy and Frank Hermes, Hankinson, ND, and two sisters, Anne Jean Hedemark, Victoria MN and Leola Whitaker, Deming, NM, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brother, Raphael Hermes and sisters, Eulalie Hafner, Leora Herding and Rhoda Holm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Hermes Endowment Fund.