Hermina Wahlin, 110 years of age, the oldest woman in Minnesota, of Evansville died Thursday, June 18, 2015 at the Evansville Care Center.
Hermina Josephine Wahlin was born on November 26, 1904, in a seven bedroom house her father built in 1898, about two miles from Evansville. She was the eighth child born to Nels and Nella (Erickson) Johnson and was baptized and confirmed by Rev. T.A. Sattre in Our Savior's Lutheran Church. She attended Rural School District #35 in Lund Township then continued high school in Bemidji, and after her schooling she worked in a beauty shop in Minneapolis.
Hermina and David Wahlin were married on August 26, 1926, at her parents' home. After their marriage they lived in Minneapolis, farmed by Evansville, and then traveled for five years while David worked with an oil company pipeline. They returned to Evansville where they owned and operated Wahlin's Grocery for several years before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada where Hermina and David managed apartment buildings. After eleven years, they retired back to Evansville where Hermina was a receptionist for Gearhart Funeral Home and then for Bruce and Rudi Nilson for Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville. Hermina was an active member with Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, Youth Group and also taught Sunday School. Hermina was born in President Theodore Roosevelt term, the era of horses and buggies, threshing machines and no running water in the homes. She appreciated electricity. This was one of the greatest changes in her lifetime; Hermina had stated, "With electricity we had lights. Before that we had to use kerosene lamps to light the house". Hermina is known for her sharp memory and was an Evansville historian.
She is survived by two daughters, Shirley (William) Hart of Las Vegas and DeeLores Wahlin of Evansville; three granddaughters, Dr. Barbara Ammon and Susan (Byron) Smith both of Long Beach, CA. and Kristin (Jeffrey) Sindelar of Shakopee; two great-grandsons, Kyle Smith of Long Beach, CA. and Ryan Hart of Garfield, MN.; four great-granddaughters, Dr. Lyndsay (Roberto) Avalos of Oakland, CA., Sarah Ammon of Pasadena, CA., Blake Ammon of Riverside, CA. and Ashley Hart of Jacksonville, FL.; two great-great grandchildren, Ariana and Andreas Avalos of Oakland, CA.; and by numerous relatives and friends. Hermina was preceded in death by her husband, David in 1998, he being 95 years old and they were blessed with 71 years of marriage; and by two grandsons, William Hart IV and Paul Hart.
Hermina's Folder