Kermit Franklin Marcussen

February 1, 1914 ~ February 25, 2014

MEMORIAL SERVICE DETAILS

Friday, February 28, 2014

3:00 P.M.

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, IA

Burial of ashes will be in the Neola Township Cemetery, Neola, IA

SURVIVORS

Wife – Arlene Marcussen of Harlan, IA

2 Daughters – Jeannine (Lloyd) Thomas of Fort Collins, CO

Kandice Slater of Davenport, IA

1 Son – Lynn (Tricia) Marcussen of Orange, CA

5 Grandchildren – Mitchell Thomas of Colorado Springs, CO

Michele (Lance) Shimomura of Lakewood, CO

Weston Slater of Iowa City, IA

Brennan Slater of Iowa City, IA

Kayleigh Slater of Davenport, IA

5 Great-grandchildren – James McElwee of Lakeside, CA

Danica McElwee of Lakeside, CA

Grant Shimomura of Lakewood, CO

Gabrielle Shimomura of Lakewood, CO

Emily Shimomura of Lakewood, CO

Other Relatives & Friends

Kermit Franklin Marcussen, son of Hans and Dagmar (Norgard) Marcussen was born at home in Jacksonville, Iowa, and passed away on February 25, 2014, at the age of 100. He attended Jacksonville school and then joined his father and brother to start Marcussen Bros. Trucking Company. They also owned and operated a service station on the main highway in Jacksonville. On July 26, 1941, he married Arlene Velma Petersen of Neola, Iowa, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1950, he purchased and moved to the family farm just west of Kimballton, Iowa. He farmed until 1965 and then worked for the Harlan Community School District until his retirement.

Kermit was a man of heart and substance. He was quiet but spoke with conviction. He was gentle but could be very tough. He was a giving person, who supported his family and friends with total unselfishness. Kermit was a true family role model. He epitomized the hard work ethic of his generation and his friends commented that work was his hobby. He also strived to educate himself. He was very well read, kept abreast of current events and successfully influenced all his children to obtain the higher degrees of education that he was not able to pursue. He enjoyed dancing with his wife and friends at the numerous area dance halls. He and Arlene also enjoyed attending big band and jazz concerts. Kermit enjoyed trips and family reunions to Branson, Missouri, Lake Okoboji and Minnesota.

Kermit Marcussen passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having reached the age of 100 years and 24 days.

Kermit was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Esther Nordgren, Herdis Craig, and Valborg Ritchhart; brother, Helmer Marcussen; and son-in-law, David Slater. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Arlene Marcussen of Harlan, Iowa; three children, daughter, Jeannine (Lloyd) Thomas of Ft. Collins, Colorado, son, Lynn (Tricia) Marcussen of Orange, California, and daughter, Kandice Slater of Davenport, Iowa; five grandchildren, Mitchell Thomas of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Michele (Lance) Shimomura of Lakewood, Colorado, Weston Slater and Brennan Slater, both of Iowa City, Iowa, and Kayleigh Slater of Davenport, Iowa; five great-grandchildren, James and Danica McElwee of Lakeside, California, and Grant Shimomura, Gabrielle Shimomura and Emily Shimomura of Lakewood, Colorado; and other relatives and friends.

The memorial service was held on Friday, February 28, 2014, at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Al Hazelton of Harlan First Assembly of God Church, Harlan, Iowa, officiating. Burial of ashes was in the Neola Township Cemetery in Neola, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.