Donald L. Hermsen, 84, of Epworth, Iowa, passed away Monday, January 19, 2026, due to complications from the flu at Accura Health Care in Cascade, Iowa, surrounded by his family.

Visitation for Don will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 2:30 p.m.  Visitation will also continue after 9 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Funeral Home.

Services for Don will be held at his parish of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, with Rev. Steven Garner presiding.  Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Epworth.

He was born February 22, 1941 in Petersburg, Iowa, son of Leonard and Hilda (Deutmeyer) Hermsen. Don always talked about being the valedictorian of his kindergarten class. Only to find out he was the only one in his kindergarten class. His parents sent him at the age of four to keep the Petersburg school open. He went on to attend High school at St. Boniface where he played basketball and excelled in speech. While there he met the love of his life, Patricia Gebhard.  They were married on February 2, 1963.

After high school, Don enrolled in Loras College and then later graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College (UNI). He began his teaching career at Western Dubuque High School. He taught there for 44 years. In those years he taught pretty much the entire population of rural Dubuque County how to drive! He also coached every sport in those 44 years. The two sports he spent the majority of his career coaching were cross country and track. It has been said you could always hear “Herm” anywhere on the course or the track. He took great pride in every athlete he had the honor to coach.

He also spent many years traveling the area officiating basketball and umpiring baseball and softball. He also had the voice to make him a great announcer at local sporting events and the races at Dubuque and Farley.

Sports have always been a part of Don’s life from playing ball for Petersburg or softball for Flynn Ready Mix and The Office Tap. He became an avid golfer later in life winning the couples league one year at Timberline, where he also shot a hole-in-one. Don cherished the moments watching his own kids and grandkids participate in a variety of sporting events over the years. He is an honored member of the Western Dubuque Hall of Fame.

After losing his wife in 1997, he married the second love of his life, Shawn Lockridge on April 24, 1999.  The two of them spent many years travelling around the country.  Nothing brought them greater joy than watching their grandkids flourish.

He is survived by his wife, Shawn Lockridge-Hermsen of Epworth, IA; five children, Mick (Carmen) Hermsen of Amherst, WI, Karie (Neil) Beck of Bailey, CO, Ann (Mark) Bradshaw of Wentzville, MO, Marty (Lisa) Hermsen of Albia, IA and Jenny(Adam) Huehnergarth of Dyersville, IA; 16 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and one sister, Kay Holtz of Ocean Springs, MS; his mother-in-law, Analee Lockridge of Fort Meyers,FL; sisters-in-law, Robin Bekker of Fort Meyers, FL, Stacey (Jayme) Schmidt of Villa Ridge, MO, Gina (Rodney) Hamilton of Minford, OH; a brother-in-law, Steve (MaryKay) Lockridge of Chillcothe,IL; numerous nieces and nephews and many great nephews and nieces.

He is also preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mert and Ardella Gebhard, his father-in-law, Jack Lockridge; his sister and her husband Lillian and Bob Steger; and two brothers-in-laws, Jerry Holtz and Jim Bekker; nephews and niece, Bryan Hamilton, Mark Steger, Terry Holtz and Lori Meyer.

An online video may be viewed and online condolences sent to the family at wwww.reifffuneralhomeinc.com

The family of Don would like to thank Dr. Sullivan, Dr. Ram, Dr. Bland and Karena Sauser. The amazing team at Accura HealthCare and Hospice of Dubuque who gave Don such compassionate care. As well as the first responders of Epworth who were always there in his times of need. In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to Hospice of Dubuque.