Carl Herrmann

Carl Herrmann, 81, a long-time community member of Black River Falls, Wis., died
on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Carl was born to Helen (Sallis) Herrmann of Helena, AR
and Paul Herrmann of Hales Corners, Wis., 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 & 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 & Lee
McLaughlin, Dennis and Jean Lee and Patrick and Cherie Godar.
 
Carl was cremated privately at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester,
Minn. 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.