Betty Jean Hermanson
Published 9:14 am Monday, June 23, 2025
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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.
Bett 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 his passing in February of 202, 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 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) Sherf, 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, 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.