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- January 27, 2009
Hermsen, Russell (Rusty) Richard
Russell (Rusty) Richard Hermsen born on Dec. 14, 1944, in Oconto, Wis., the son of Russell C. Hermsen and Muriel A. (Jarvis) Hermsen died Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. He grew up in Wausau and Green Bay and obtained his education at St. Joseph Grade School and Premontre High School, later graduating from St. Norbert College. His interests were numerous and varied, ranging from scuba-diving to cooking, wine-making, gardening and the latest, bee-keeping. He loved competing in off-road motorcycle racing, won the Wisconsin State Motocross Championship in the l970s and for a time ran a business, Rusty's Cycle Center, selling off-road motorcycles. Sailing and sailboat racing was another of his passions, winning the Small Boat Championship on the Lower Bay in the 1990s. He loved to teach, was a storyteller supreme and had his audiences laughing within minutes.
Russ's career was in music education. He gave back to his community in terms of service for many years on the Suamico Harbor Commission and the Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Council for the State of Wisconsin. He retired from the Green Bay Public Schools after a career as band director at Preble High School. As a band director, he was responsible for the concert band, marching band and producing the annual musical, showcasing the theatrical and musical talents of his students. He gave back to his community in terms of service for many years on the Suamico Harbor Commission and the Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Council for the State of Wisconsin.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Tatosky) Hermsen, Suamico, Wis.; stepson, Chris Cuciti, Stuttgart, Germany; sister, Gail Hermsen Keeley and husband, Kurt and nieces, Joyce, Angie and Kendra and nephew, Travis, Littleton, Colo.; brother-in-law, Thomas Hovermale, Frederick, Md.; mother and father-in-law, Pearl and James Tatosky, Alpha, Mich.; brother-in-law, Tim Tatosky and wife, Linda and nephew, Matt, Alpha, Mich.; sister-in-law, Susan Holz and husband, Jeff, niece, Jessica and nephew, Jeremy, Sherwood, Wis.; and friends and neighbors extraordinaire, Carl and Kim Frisque.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Muriel A. Hermsen; his father, Russell C. Hermsen; and his sister, Faye Hermsen Hovermale.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue. Visitation will continue after 10 a.m. Thursday, at the funeral home where a Celebration of Life will take place at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com .
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Russ's name.
Lyndahl Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
1350 Lombardi Avenue
(920) 499-1223
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