Henry "Hank" William Kerssen

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Henry "Hank" William Kerssen, 94, of Chehalis, Wash., passed away from heart failure at Providence Centralia Hospital, May 12, 2019. He was born June 29, 1924, to Henrietta and Dr. William F.T. Kerssen on the family farm in Fosston, Minn., the youngest of seven children.

In Minnesota, Hank worked for NEA Construction, replacing power line utility poles. In 1950, he and his first wife, Evelyn (Rindahl) moved their family to Winlock, Wash.    Hank worked for Shakertown Corporation for many years, all the while farming and raising livestock. After Evelyn's passing, he married Jerry (Cusic) in 1963. Hank worked at Keen and Howard Lumber, Hercules Dynamite Plant and Satsop Nuclear Plant. A carpenter at heart, Hank started his own pre-hung door and finish carpentry business.  After Jerry's passing, Hank married Evelyn (White) in 1979.  Together, they managed the Timbers Apartments in Lacey.  In retirement, they traveled to Minnesota to visit family, made several trips to Reno and took many RVing trips to Grayland Beach for clam digging, crabbing and playing pinochle. They were avid sturgeon fishing partners and quite good at it, not to leave out fun shared at Saturday night dances! Mention holiday bazaars and the activity began, selling wood crafted planter boxes, his well-known bird houses, along with much more and he passed carpentry on to his grandsons.

After Evelyn’s death in 2007, and a stroke in 2010, Hank went to live with his son, Larry in Renton, until six months ago. More recently, a special granddaughter, Amy Losoya, had been planning a 95th birthday party for him at Fort Borst Park.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents; six siblings; and beloved wives, Evelyn Ruth (Rindahl) Kerssen in 1962, Geraldine Anne (Cusic) Kerssen in 1978, and Evelyn Jean (Milliern) Kerssen in 2007; his loving and humorous daughter, Lisa (Kerssen) McHayle in 2012; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Stanley in 2016.

Hank, a good man, is survived by his children, Larry Kerssen, Carolyn (Jim) Lakey, Judy (Steve) Hartshorn, Marlys Ross, Marcy (Tim) Pallett, Cathy Kerssen, Debbie Hadley, Ed (Cheryl) Stanley and Fred (Sandy) Stanley; 21 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Dibble, Helga Milliern and Bonnie Baker; and brother-in-law, Fred (Irene) Richardson.

The family is grateful for the kind and generous care Hank received at Chehalis West Assisted Living and Oakwood Haven Assisted Adult Family Home in Centralia.

A graveside service will be held at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 1822 Van Wormer St., Centralia, WA 98531. Immediately following, friends and family are welcome to attend a potluck celebration of Hank's life at the large picnic shelter behind kitchen #1, at Borst Park in Centralia. Arrangements are through Strickland Funeral Chapel, Centralia.