April 24, 2023 at 11:45 a.m.
Dennis Herrmann
Dennis Herrmann
Shortly after Dennis's birth, the Herrmann Family moved to Mason City, Iowa, where he attended elementary school up until they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended middle school and graduated from Roosevelt High School. He then attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1962 with a degree in mathematics. While at college, Dennis was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. Many times, Dennis said this was an instrumental time in his life when the introverted Denny became the more outgoing person he is remembered for today.
Dennis's first job was at American Can in Neenah in which he supervised many women in a factory setting. He was well-loved by many of the employees as he always treated them with respect and was able to implement several policies to further their job growth. In his late 20s, Dennis decided he wanted a career change and moved to Rhinelander to work as a stockbroker at the Marshall Company, which later became Smith Barney. In 1986, Dennis branched out on his own and started LaSalle St. Securities. Dennis loved working as a stockbroker because of the different client relationships. He truly cared for his clients and oftentimes meetings with them would stray off into conversations about life and funny stories about almost anything. In 2009, Dennis's daughter, Kasha, joined him as a broker. Kasha and Dennis worked across the desk from each other for over 10 years up until his retirement in 2019. The laughter and conversations they shared were invaluable.
On Feb. 29, 1972 (leap year), Dennis met the love of his life, Kate Kurlinski, at Lord Jeffrey's Pub in Rhinelander. Both Kate and Dennis said they just "knew" this was the person they were meant to be with. Three months later, in June, Dennis and Kate were married.
Dennis was a longtime member of the Rhinelander Country Club. Dennis loved the camaraderie at the Club and played many rounds of golf with his best friend's Irv Schiek and golf partner, John Fixmer. He also loved playing cribbage and was quite competitive. He enjoyed the diversity of personalities at the Club and built strong friendships with many people there. While being a member, he and his friend, Dennis Passmore, started an annual golf trip to Pahrump, Nevada. It started with just a handful of people and has now grown to over 60 participants. He tried to create an atmosphere where everyone had fun and felt welcomed.
Dennis was instrumental in starting the Headwaters Foundation Board to fundraise money for their clients. He served as the president from its inception in 1982 until 2019, raising money along the way, especially through the Headwaters Golf Tournament which still takes place to this day.
Dennis played a lot of baseball in his youth and also coached many years of boys Little League. However, once he had daughters, he switched to coaching Little League softball. He loved coaching his daughters and every day in the summer played catch with them, teaching them how to pitch along the way.
Dennis had a 1972 Schwinn bike which he rode far into his 70s; sometimes riding over 30 miles in a day and then walking 18 holes of golf. He also thoroughly enjoyed waterskiing and playing racquetball.
Dennis was kind and he deeply loved his family and friends. He had an incredibly quick wit and was very good at telling a story. But more than anything, he was a dad. He took that role seriously with a lot of humor and love! Once he had grandchildren, he transferred the same love and laughter to them. Life was never boring for his family!
He is survived by his wife, Kate, his daughters Chris Ann Herrmann, Kasha Flanders, Greta Kock; sons-in-law Joseph Flanders and Michael Kock; and grandchildren: Scott, Kristen, Frankie, Vivian and Sam. He was adored by all of them.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Judy Harlow.
A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pines Event Center in Rhinelander. You may leave your private condolences at www.carlsonfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Headwaters Foundation in Rhinelander.
The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Herrmann family.
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