Philip Harry Kermes

Philip Harry Kermes was born on February 20, 1931 in Freeborn County, the son of Harry and Henrietta Renchin Kermes. He grew up on the family farm and went to grade school in Hayward. Philip graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1949. He served in the U. S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. On June 29, 1954 Philip was united in marriage to Patricia M O'Connor at St. Columbanus Church in Blooming Prairie. Philip was a member of St. Theodore's Catholic Church, the American Legion Post 56, and was a board member of the Hayward Co-op for 24 years and had served the Co-op as a past president. He was the president of the Bohemian National Cemetery Board. Philip enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, 4 wheeling with his sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons, bird watching, and arrowhead hunting. He also loved gardening, coffee with friends, watching TV – especially sports, reading, visiting with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Survivors include his wife Patricia of Hayward, children Sharon Mark Dempewolf, JoAnne Gary Johnson, Susan Mark Runden, Matthew Connie Kermes, Rita Kermes, Mark Anne Kermes, Jacqueline Mark Trapp, Neil Kermes, and son-in-law Randy Farris; seventeen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren, brothers Harold Loretta Kermes, Charles Mary Kermes; sisters Georgia Nyenhuis, Harriet Howard Brechtel; brother-in-law Thomas Barbara O'Connor; sisters-in-law Francis Njos Dennis Bramstedt, and Eileen Ptacek; and many nieces and nephews. Philip was preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen Farris, his parents and grandparents, sisters Charlet and Louise, and brothers-in-law Gene Ptacek and Henry Nyenhuis.