Betty Jean Hermanson

Betty Jean Hermanson of Albert Lea, beloved wife, mother, sibling, friend, and colleague, passed away quietly on 23 September, 2024 at Mayo Hospital in Austin, MN.

Betty was born June 5, 1931 to Ila (Tukua) and Thomas Metcalfe at their home in Albert Lea Township. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. She graduated from Albert Lea Central High School, where she focused on business skills education, graduating with the class of 1949.

Betty moved from her parents’ rural home as a teenager to live in Albert Lea, where she resided with her best friend, Phyllis (Christianson) Storey and her parents, Herb and Edna. The change enabled her to both attend high school and find employment, including jobs at Phil’s Cafe and KATE Radio. Betty was always a diligent, responsible worker.

In September of 1949, Betty and Almon Leroy Scherf eloped to marry in Minneapolis, settling in Albert Lea. During their 32 years together, she and Roy raised three children, Michael, Patricia, and Robert. Betty and Roy divorced in 1982.

While raising her children, Betty built upon her high school training by maintaining a full-time career in secretarial employment: first at Wilson and Co., then with local USDA offices, and ultimately at Wilson and Co. There, she managed the payroll department and advanced to the position of Secretary to the Vice President. She retired in 1995 after 24 years of service.

In 1984, Betty married Roger G. Hermanson of Lake Mills, Iowa. Roger took her dancing again, her favorite pastime as a teen. She could dance a fine jitterbug, two-step, and waltz! The couple lived happily together in their lake home on Oakwood Drive until 2019 when they moved to Knutson Place. After Roger’s passing in February of 2021, Betty continued to live there. She transitioned to Luther Place and then The Woodlands, where she resided until her death at age 93. She aged gracefully with gentleness, humor, and dementia.

Betty kept very busy during her free time. Socializing was a priority: she was part of the same card club with friends for over 50 years, enjoyed regular breakfast and lunch gatherings with former female colleagues and classmates, and frequently hosted family and friends, where she generously shared her talents as a fine cook and baker. She diligently attended Albert Lea Community Theater and Civic Music performances, as well as outings for bowling and golf. Travel enticed her too, whether it meant heading out of state or just taking a Sunday drive—perhaps to see the autumn colors along the Mississippi—all, inevitably, built around dining at a good restaurant. She treasured her time as a grandparent, both to her grands and great-grands.

Betty enjoyed more solitary pastimes, too. She was drawn to crafting; making candles and Christmas ornaments, crocheting blankets, and cross-stitching beautiful art pieces. She created scrapbooks for each of her grandchildren, and documented her family’s lives with numerous photo albums. She also liked fixing things: from repairing a broken gadget, to installing a new thermostat, to organizing a better home filing system…and she looooved shopping, especially for clothing, purses, and jewelry. It was ever so important to her to look nice, and this she did with regular visits to hairdresser, Barb, visits from hairdresser Bernadette, and visits to nail lady, Tammy, right up to the end. As her health changed over the years, she enjoyed watching tv shows- Seinfeld and Vera… both made her and Roger laugh out loud. Watching the MN Twins was a favorite also, but they did not make her laugh! She worked on crossword and word search puzzles, played solitaire and sudoku. She dabbled at painting and jewelry making with her beautifully devoted, artistic beloved Doreen… Betty was willing to give all new things a try, even watching westerns… we still aren’t sure where that came from at the age of 91!

Betty was preceded in death by husband Roger G. Hermanson and former husband Roy Scherf. Betty cared tenderly for her parents Ila and Thomas Metcalfe, until their passing, and she tended faithfully to her siblings, all of whom preceded her in death: brothers Duane, Thomas Jr., Dale, James, and Donald and sisters Phyllis Andersen, Mary Ann Severson, and Shirley Torsch. Preceding her as well were sisters-in-law, Joyce Metcalfe and Mary Ann Hermanson, brothers-in-law Don Torsch and Neil Severson; and many other treasured family members.

She is survived by her loving family including her children, Robert Scherf, Michael (Doreen) Scherf, Patricia (Kevin Dirkes) Scherf; stepchildren James (Mary) Hermanson, Thomas Hermanson, and Linda Pomeroy; grandchildren Sierra, Abbey, Haeley, Kelley, Sam, Sarah, Zach and Nathan; six great grandchildren; brothers-in-law Paul Andersen and Kenneth Hermanson; sister-in-law Ovila Hanna; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at Bonnerup Funeral Home in Albert Lea on Saturday, July 5 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation starting one hour prior. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. There will be an extended gathering time for family and friends from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the Edgewater Bay Pavilion in Albert Lea.

Memorials in Betty’s memory to the Albert Lea Relay for Life are appreciated.