CARL F HERRMANN
CARL F HERRMANN
Carl Herrmann, 81, a longtime community member of Black River Falls, WI, died Sunday, March 2, 2025. Carl was born to Helen (Sallis) Herrmann of Helena, AR, and Paul Herrmann of Hales Corners, WI, in 1943. He studied sociology and social work at the UW-Milwaukee, receiving a master’s degree in social work.
Carl was a social worker/supervisor with Jackson County Human Services for 30 years, mentored by Marshal H. Graff. These growth years for human services suited Carl’s interest in discovery, innovation and teamwork. The agency piloted and implemented several new programs during these years, including the “Neighbors Program” and an outdoor adventure program for at-risk youth. Carl was directly involved in planning and traveling with these groups to the Boundary Waters for camping and canoeing experiences. These were both challenging and rewarding times for Carl.
Carl spent his free time canoeing, bicycling, traveling and laughing with friends. Early adult years found him canoeing around Wisconsin and Canada with Rich Stillman, Curt Hossman and Charles McLaughlin. Travel favorites for Carl and his wife, Joan, included the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Pacific Northwest, Canada, the Southwest, Ireland and China (with Alan Goldsmith) and Norway/Sweden. Carl’s earlier travels included the Soviet Union, Alaska and most of the lower 48 states.
Carl truly felt intimate nature provides a comforting sense of belonging and while grand nature, like national parks, motivated his travel, he always liked visiting with people along the way. Discovering lifestyles, values, joys and concerns of people he encountered gave him great satisfaction. He was always looking for good FUN.
Retirement years included thousands of miles of side-by-side bicycling and philosophizing with Charles McLaughlin. These were local rides as well as trips to the North Shore, Minnesota, Illinois and Arkansas. Eventual mobility limitations found Carl utilizing this sitting time by exploring virtual travel. YouTube, documentary streaming and internet surfing fed his curiosity. Carl exploited the myriad of information sites available.
For those fortunate enough to share time with Carl, the depth, breadth and relevance of his experience and knowledge made for lively and engaging conversation right up to the end of his life. For many years, he enjoyed the camaraderie and time spent with his valued and steadfast men’s group. Carl had a gift for listening to and sharing his appreciation of the people around him in a uniquely powerful way. Being loved by Carl was to be cherished.
The great gift in Carl’s life was to spend 45 years in the company of Joan, his wife. She freed his heart to become a more complete human being. This love sustained him and completed him. He was so grateful for her!
Carl was a unique individual, fun-loving and adventurous, who lived life with curiosity, passion and enthusiasm and gave into death only reluctantly. He was a man used to surviving and adapting to his many medical fights — but for this one, the victory would not be his.
Carl is survived by Joan, his wife; Mary Nolan (sister), Daniel Nolan (nephew), Dennis (Chrissy) Nolan (nephew) and their children Nate, Emma and Sam; Joan’s family, brothers Tom (Julie Wissinger) Higgins, Joel (Lenore) Higgins and their children, Allison Higgins and Jessica (Ryan) Heck along with their children Sydney and Cora; childhood friend, Dennis (Joyce) Rody; and friends, Charles and Lee McLaughlin, Dennis and Jean Lee and Patrick and Cherie Godar.
Carl was cremated privately at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester, MN. Scattering of ashes and future plans for remembering Carl will be determined at a later date. Memorials may be made to the International Crane Foundation, Mississippi River Conservancy or Nature Conservancy of Wisconsin.