Evelyn Hermes

Evelyn Geisen was born on December 20, 1925 at Glendive, Montana, daughter of John and Cecile Geisen. The Geisen family moved to Bisbee, ND in 1926. With help and support from others, she graduated from Bisbee High School in 1943 and Mayville State Teachera�(TM)s College in 1946. She later pursued graduate study at North Dakota State University.

Evelyn taught business at Fairmount High School from 1946-48 and Lisbon High School from 1948-49. She married Claire Hermes on November 12, 1949 and they lived on a farm near Fairmount until moving to Fairmount, ND in 1985.

Evelyn taught English and served as the school counselor at Fairmount High School (1968-92). She coached speech and drama; many of her students advanced to and won state competitions. She was inducted into the North Dakota Speech Hall of Fame in 1998. She served as a tutor and as supervisor for students in classes with the Division of Independent Study. The help Evelyn received from others with her education was passed on to her students. Many chose to attend college due to her encouragement. She also wrote grants that secured the first computers for the Fairmount School.

As a member of the Fairmount Theatre Guild, she directed the community musicals from 1985-97. She was extremely involved in the Fairmount Literary Club and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, St. Annea�(TM)s Altar Society, WCO Foresters, St. Andrewa�(TM)s Society, and St. Anthonya�(TM)s Catholic Church.

Evelyn was a Girl Scout leader and served as the Tenney 4-H club leader for over 20 years. She enjoyed reading, and was known for her paintings on crosscut saws, saw blades, sleds, and whatever else her husband picked up at auctions. Despite having a stroke several years ago, she was still able to play hand and foot (cards) and never passed up an opportunity to do so.

She is survived by her seven children: Dr. Rebecca Hafner-Fogarty (Jerry Fogarty), Collegeville, MN; Claire (Donald) Althoff, Mooreton, ND; Pamela Hermes (Frank Dooley) West Lafayette IN; Greg (Lona) Hermes, Oakes ND; Amy (Patrick) Smellie, Shelby Township, MI; Laurie (Kipp) Hogan, Eastport, NY; Mary (Greg) Dahl, Lake Tomahawk, WI. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Nancy Hafner Steffen, Karen Bogg, and Brian Hafner; Chris, Kyle, and Katie Althoff; Sarah and Anne Dooley; David and Jacob Smellie, Sean, Ryan, and Samantha Hermes, Marcie and Sam Hogan; and 5 great grandchildren.

She is also survived by a sister, Betty Cox, Boulder, CO, and a brother, Gerald Geisen, Bottineau, ND. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claire, and by her parents and three infant brothers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Fairmount Endowment Fund (http://www.ndcf.net/Fairmount/Index.asp).