Kenneth Hermanson died May 20, 2007, at Harrison Medical Center with his immediate family members at his side. The Bremerton resident was 77.
Mr. Hermanson was born on the family homestead near Stanley, N.D. in 1929. He was the last of 10 children who grew up in a two-bedroom home on the prairie. He grew up during the Depression and World War II, working the family farm to earn enough money to be the first family member to graduate from college.
Mr. Hermanson graduated from Stanley High School in 1948. Upon graduation, he enrolled at the University of North Dakota, receiving a bachelor’s degree in commerce in 1952. He then embarked on a 40-year career in banking and finance, taking him from Billings, Mont., to South Dakota, to Minnesota, to Fargo, N.D., to Bellevue, Wash. and to Silverdale.
He arrived in Silverdale in 1973 to start Suburban State Bank, hired on as its first CEO, eventually overseeing phenomenal growth in this business. He believed in community service and was active with many Silverdale civic activities, including the Silverdale Rotary and the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hermanson was a past Silverdale Chamber of Commerce president. He also was a member of Silverdale Lutheran Church dating back to 1974. He finished his banking and finance career with Kitsap Bank in 1997, retiring to a life of spending time with his family, friends and playing with his grandchildren.
Mr. Hermanson took great joy in his family and extended family, often telling stories of his family growing up on their family farm in North Dakota during the Depression and World War II. He also had a particular affinity for the virtues of small business and took great joy in supporting entrepreneurs and small business people with their business dreams during his career. He often told stories of helping various businesses in the Central Kitsap area and his expansive network of friends and business colleagues. He enjoyed living in Silverdale as he believed it was a true community with great people.
Mr. Hermanson lived a full life, predicated by moral living, ethical behavior, a truly exemplary life. His family loved him very much.
Survivors include his wife Ursula of Silverdale; sons Troy (Suzanne) Hermanson of Kingston, and Jay (Cathie) Hermanson of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter Sara (Jon) Lindberg of Silverdale; grandchildren Jane, Eli, Jack and Issac Hermanson; brother Harold Hermanson of Stanley, N.D.; sister Edna Hermanson, also of Stanley.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2007, at Silverdale Lutheran Church, 11701 Ridgepoint Drive. Friends of Mr. Hermanson and the family are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association, 710 Second Ave., Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104 and the Alzheimer’s Association, Western and Central Washington State Chapter, 12721 30th Ave. NE, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98125.
