Obituary for Loren Hermes

Loren Edward Hermes, 94, passed away May 22, 2015 at Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, Kansas City, MO following a brief illness. He was the last living member of his family’s “Greatest Generation”.

Born January 20, 1921 in Great Bend KS, he was the son of Edward and May Hermes. He was raised on the family farm in Great Bend throughout the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era. He met his wife Ruth (Hodges) Hermes in Great Bend and they were married on March 14, 1942.

Mr. Hermes enlisted in the United States Army soon after the Pearl Harbor attack. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in the Pacific Theatre both during World War II and as a member of the Allied occupation in Japan following their surrender. Mr. Hermes returned home and began his own business, the Hermes Variety Store in Larned, Kansas. His keen and intuitive business sense led him to later own a Ben Franklin Store in Kiowa, KS, followed by becoming a successful salesman for Sears in Lawrence, KS, then a respected merchant store trainer for Sears in Kansas City, MO and Bartlesville, OK. He completed his career as a specialty packaging carpenter at the Boeing Company in Wichita, KS.

In his youth, Mr. Hermes had a passion for art and painted a number of canvases which are cherished by his family. His advanced skills in carpentry and related abilities made him well-respected by his family as a “DIY Expert”. Mr. Hermes coached youth baseball and was involved with the Boy Scouts. He loved boating and was especially fond of spending time on Table Rock Lake. Mr. Hermes was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ruth (Hodges) Hermes, and Brothers Donald Hermes and Les Hermes. He is survived by his children Steve, Jerry and Kent and their families, and a large extended family of both the Hermes and Hodges families.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday May 27, 2015 at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church 9300 Nall Ave, Overland Park, KS 66207. A graveside service will be held in Kaw City, Oklahoma on Friday May 29th.

In lieu of flowers, donations are greatly appreciated to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64114. 816-363-2600 www.kansascityhospice.org. The hospice staff truly embraced our family and eased his suffering during his stay.

Source: Trout Funeral Home