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- David "Dave" Kirby Hermsen (a.k.a Hermie), age 77, of Combined Locks, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, after a courageous battle with cancer. Dave was born on May 29, 1940 to the late Martin and Esther (Spice) Hermsen in Appleton. Dave graduated from St. Norbert's High School in 1958. He then attended college at St. Norbert College in De Pere. Dave married his current wife, Barbara J. Derks (Rader) on March 27, 1999, and have been married for the past 18 years. He married his first wife, Rosie M. Maas in August of 1961 in Kimberly. They were married for 30 years and had three wonderful children, Douglas, Michelle and Denise "Deedi". Dave was employed with CB Supply, Perkins, JC Penney's, Valley School Supply, and owned his own business DR Systems, where he enjoyed building and repairing computers, all the while following his passion as a full-time musician.
Dave was a professional musician for 58 years, and spent time in Nashville where he played with members of Johnny Cash's band, opened for Jerry Lee Lewis and many other of his Rock-n-Roll heroes. Dave also played at the Kentucky Derby and in Las Vegas at the annual Rock-a-Billy Festival. Dave loved music and pursued it by being a member of several of his own bands such as Flaming Coals, Big Daddy and the Digs, The Fourth of Never, Resurrection and Dave and the Bad Cats (a Rock-a-Billy band). After he left performing full time with his own bands, Dave could be found sitting in and playing songs in his son Doug's band, Zeb Salvage, a classic rock band.
In his earlier years, Dave liked to hunt (both duck and deer) and fish. Dave was an avid NASCAR fan, loved Harley Davidson Motorcycles and the Green Bay Packers. Dave and Barb spent many sunny summer afternoons taking road trips either in Barb's convertible or on Dave's Harley.
Dave is survived by his wife, Barb; his first wife, Rosie Thompson; his son, Douglas (Joan) Hermsen; his daughters, Michelle (Dennis) Grimh, Denise "Deedi" Eisenschink and his step-son, Eric (Jenny) Derks. Dave is further survived by his grandchildren, Kate Hermsen (Matthew Patterson), Kristina Hermsen, Tyler (Anna) Grimh, Ryan Grimh (Sammy Coyle), Krystal Nechodom (Jeremy), Kyle Eisenschink, Parker and Paige Derks; his great-grandchildren, Hunter, Taylor and Connor Nechodom, Joplin and Ember Eisenschink, Lyla Grimh and Donovan Patterson. Dave is also survived by many other relatives and dear friends.
In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by; his son-in-law, David Eisenschink and many aunts, uncles and other loved ones.
Services for Dave will be held in private. A celebration of Dave's life will be held for his family and friends on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. at LITTLE CHICAGO, N9650 Friendship Drive in Kaukauna. Online condolences can be made at www.wichmannfargo.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in David's name.
Special thank you to all the staff at the Oncology Unit at St. Elizabeth Hospital for all their support, compassion and loving care for David and his family during this difficult time.
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1940 - 2017 (77 years)
