Virginia L. Hermanson

Virginia Lenore Hermanson, formerly of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at New Richland Care Center. She was 100 years old.

She was born on November 20, 1925, in Berlin township, Steele County, Minnesota, to Gordon LeRoy "Roy” and Cariga Johnson Hogaas. The family moved to Albert Lea when she was a child and she lived most of her life there, except for a brief time working in Hollywood, California, as a young woman. She was a 1943 graduate of Albert Lea High School.

Virginia was married to the late Bernard "Berny" Hermanson in 1947, and they were blessed with 29 wonderful years together until his untimely death in 1976.

She retired from Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, after working there for 30 years. She started as a switchboard operator in the Albert Lea office, followed by customer service, and eventually became a supervisor in Owatonna.

Both before and after retirement, Virginia was always very active in community service and volunteer work. Her many activities included volunteering with Albert Lea Meals on the Go for almost 35 years, teaching Sunday School and being active in First Lutheran Church Women, the Telephone Pioneers of America and the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as organizing yearly reunions for her high school class and numerous other civic and social organizations.

She was known for her love of driving, and the many road trips she took to Alaska with friends later in life. Her last trip was at age 88, and she loved to say that she drove more than 9,000 miles on that trip and even had to stop for an oil change. She also went on a trip to Norway with her granddaughter, Sara. She was known for her love of cats, and for the high heels which she always wore, even in her later years. She will be greatly missed.

Virginia is survived by daughters, Anne Smith (Michael) of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Lynn Mikkelsen of Denton, TX; grandchildren, Sara Smith (Kevin Melvin) of Eagan, MN, Ryan (Christa) Smith of Hanover, MN, David (Marissa) Mikkelsen of Denton, TX, and Katie (Rance) Schindler of Lewisville, TX; and three great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Lucy Melvin and Harrison Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

The family wishes to thank all the nurses and caregivers who have shown so much kindness to Virginia, including the staff at assisted living and memory care at St. John's in Albert Lea, and the staff at New Richland Care Center and Mayo Hospice.

A visitation will be held at First Lutheran Church, 301 W Clark St, Albert Lea, 56007, on Wednesday, February 11, beginning at 10 AM. Funeral Services will begin at 11 AM, officiated by Pastor Mary Fiel, followed by interment at Lakewood Cemetery.

If desired, memorials are preferred to Mayo Hospice or the Freeborn County Humane Society.