John Hermoe

John Hermoe, age 83, of Raymond, SD died at home on December 25, 2022 with his wife, Jolene (Uecker) Hermoe at his side.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark, SD from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm and one hour prior to the service. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Raymond, SD at 10:30 AM with Pastor Randy Bader officiating.

*John's Funeral service will be live streamed on the Furness Funeral Home Facebook page at the time of service.*

John Shuros Silas Hermoe was born December 5, 1939 at Hendricks, MN to parents John E. and Clara (Shuros) Hermoe. He grew up on the family farm near Astoria, SD. He was baptized January 14, 1940 and confirmed June 14, 1953 in the Singsaas Lutheran Church of Astoria. John attended school and graduated from Astoria High School on May 24, 1957.

In July of 1963, he joined the US Army where he attained several Marksman and Sharpshooter awards. He served his country honorably until July of 1965.  John was very proud of his military career and was a long-time member of the Raymond Legion Baker Post 209 where he has served in the past as the Commander and was currently the Adjutant General. On Memorial Day 2021, John received his 50 Year Membership Certificate from the Raymond Legion. He also was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America based out of Watertown.

On May 4, 1968, he married Jolene Uecker at the Christ Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denver, CO.  While there, he attended the National Electronics Institute where he received a degree in drafting in October of 1968.  John and Jolene were blessed with two children, Michelle and Jeremy.

The couple then moved to Raymond, SD during the terrible winter of 1968 to help at the Valley Edge Ranch while Jolene's father went to Pierre to serve in the SD Legislature.  With John's love of horses and farming, they remained in Ash Township of rural Raymond. John also was a skilled wood worker creating many beautiful projects including flag cases for veterans.  This is a craft that came down through the generations and he passed on to his son.

John had been a long-time member of the Ash Township Board, was a long time 4-H leader, and was a faithful member of the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council and as an usher for many years.

John was a true cowboy at heart and always loved to have horses on the farm.  He and Jolene enjoyed doing everything together and really loved to travel, especially to rodeos.  They attended the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas sixteen times, many Oklahoma Timed Events rodeos, and a trip to Calgary.  On that trip to Calgary, they traveled with three other couples who have become lifelong friends.  They have been on several cruises, side-by-side trips with family to the Black Hills, and a family trip to Hawaii for their 50 ^th wedding anniversary. His greatest pride and joy was his family and time spent with them.

Preceding John in death were his parents; sisters, Glorianne Andrews and Eloise (Gene) Rickard; parents-in-law, Wilmont "Bill" and Mavis Uecker; and sister-in-law, Collene Johannsen.

He is survived by his wife of over 54 years, Jolene Hermoe of Raymond; his children, Michelle (Curt) Wuertzer of Parkston, SD and Jeremy (Jessica) Hermoe of Watertown; grandchildren Wyatt and Chantal Wuertzer and Gavin and Grady Hermoe; sister Velda (Daniel) Johnson of Watertown; and several nieces and nephews.

For John and Jolene – "They had their first hello on December 31, 1967 and will say goodbye on December 31, 2022."

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Furness Funeral Home in Clark, SD where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com