Casketbearers were Ryan Forbes, Travis Scofield, Ian Pennington, Brice Monson, Kole James and Dave Winter. Honorary casketbearers were Lane Haugen, Ben Anderson and Nikki Crighton. Ushers were Cody Knetzger, Casey Hystad, Brian Delaney and Ryan Madison.
Internment was in the Poker Jim Cemetery south of Alexander under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
Memorials may be given to the Nikki (Elmer) Crighton Benefit Fund or the charity of your choice. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
Neal Curtis Hermanson was born on Sept. 1, 1985. Neal is the son of Ned Hermanson of Cartwright and Kim Hermanson of Sidney. He was taken from us unexpectedly Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. Neal grew up on several different ranches, attended several different schools, in several different communities. He spent the first eight years of his life on the Nygaard Ranch, south of Alexander, where he learned about rattlesnakes, sledding, riding his bike down hills and jumping his bike over the ramps he was always building. Neal believed if it had wheels, it could fly!
He also learned to carry his first buckets of feed, ride his first horse and run fast when the cows came at him. He attended Alexander School at this time, and it was here in first grade when he met his future sweetheart, AnneMarie Heen.
In the summer of 1993, Neal and his family moved to the Schilling Ranch, where he attended Rau School. He quickly made many friends, even though he was there for only a short while. They moved back to the Nygaard Ranch, where Neal finished his second-grade year back in Alexander.
In June 1994, they moved to Eleanor Trotter’s Ranch in the rough breaks of the Badlands. He attended his next years of schooling between Rau and Grassy Butte.
Neal and Louis enjoyed many a summer’s day playing in the muddy Little Missouri River with their cousins and Rex. He spent many long hours in the saddle on his first horse, Follow, helping his dad ride. In November 1997, they left the river ranch and headed to the Vuylsteke Ranch on Bennie Pierre Creek.
While living here, Neal again attended Alexander School and enjoyed fishing with his friends at Sather Dam and Leland Dam. Neal loved snowmobiling, four wheeling and motorcycling. In May 2000, they moved to the Jacobson Ranch. In 2004, Neal graduated from Alexander High School.
Neal’s college career included various schools in various communities. In August 2004, he attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, then Williston State College in Williston.
He was employed by Nabors Drilling the summer of 2005. He returned to Fargo that fall for another semester, then North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton for a final semester. Neal ended his college career at this time.
He decided to work full time for Nabors. He enjoyed the camaraderie he shared with his coworkers and friends and soon settled into the area, where the “Man Shack,” became home.
On his days off from the oil field, you could often find Neal helping his dad on the ranch. Neal loved the ranch life. He had recently purchased his own cows and was getting his own start. He would have sold his first calf crop this fall. At a very young age, Neal started understanding cattle. He handled them as good as any cowman, before he was a man.
Neal loved to tease, or torment, according to Louis. Even so, all through his life, when Neal wasn’t fighting with Louis, he was taking care of his brother. Neal never let anything get him down. He had a knack for making up new phrases and eventually everyone around him would be saying it too.
He always had a story to tell and he could captivate a roomful of people with his stories. Can we ever forget those Converse shoes, dorky shades and his all-time favorite shiny silk shirts!
Neal worked hard, played hard, but laughed with ease. He had that wonderful characteristic ‘kneeslapping’ laugh that he inherited from his dad.
On his last day on this earth, Neal was doing what he enjoyed the most -- riding, working cows and being with friends.
Neal is survived by his parents Ned and Kim, his brother Louis, his long time love AnneMarie, his Grandma Mae and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
Neal is preceded in death by his Grandpa Louis, Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Homer. Grandpa Carl, Auntie Tamy and Grandpa Lyle.
The following are words taken from a poem written by Louis Hermanson.
When you left home and went away, we told you,
you would be forever in our hearts.
When that terrible day came for you to leave us forever,
we hugged you and kissed you
and told you that you would be forever in our arms.
We love you Neal. We will miss you.
May you find comfort and peace in the arms of God.
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