Herbert “Herb” Nels Harmanson, 66, a lifetime resident of Onalaska, passed away on Jan. 12, 2024, after a long struggle with medical issues. He was born Nov. 30, 1957, and adopted by his late parents, Herbert “Herb” and Dorothy Harmanson.
Herb is survived by his wife, Angela (Miller) Harmanson; two sisters, Angie Boggs, of Onalaska, and Pam Hill, of Lacey; three children, Brad Harmanson, of Onalaska, Kenny Harmanson, of Chehalis, and Cara Harmanson, of Beaverton, Oregon; four beloved grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Herb was raised in Onalaska on the farm where his mother was raised and continued to live and work in the community until his passing. He was a 12- year senior, graduating from Onalaska High School in 1976. His mother, Dorothy, was also a 12-year senior, graduating from Onalaska High School in 1948, and his children were third generation 12-year seniors as well.
He built a home on the same road that he grew up on and married Kathie (Nelson) Suter in September 1981, with whom he had his three children. He coached his boys in Little League baseball and enjoyed attending school sporting events. He not only attended those events participated by his children, but his nephews as well.
Herb met his wife, Angie, in July 2011, and they sanctified their love and exchanged vows at his home on Sept. 22, 2018.
Herb followed in his father’s footsteps working for the Lewis County Public Works Department from 1979 until his retirement in 2019. He drove dump trucks for the majority of his tenure with the county and took great pride in the work that he did. And, just like his father, he knew every road in the county like the back of his hand, making him the go-to person if anyone needed directions. After retiring, Herb enjoyed spending time with his family, taking care of his homestead, working and tinkering in his shop, finding any reason possible to hop on his John Deere tractor, and, most of all, in recent years finding a connection with God and holding Bible studies once a week at his home.
In his younger years, Herb enjoyed deer hunting with his father in the Winston Creek area and always looked forward to the weeklong elk camp at Green Mountain. Herb was known for his animated personality with a contagious laugh and always had a story to captivate those in his presence. He was creative and possessed the same abilities as his father, in that he could fix or build anything. He was also known by his family as having an uncanny ability to simplify and minimize the number of steps needed to accomplish daily routines or tasks that he encountered by his strategic placement of items. And to say that he had multiples of numerous items in order to save time and steps is truly an understatement.
Lastly, and most of all, he cared very deeply about his family and those within his circle. You knew you could always count on him if you needed a hand with a project, and he wouldn’t hesitate to give the shirt off of his back for a friend or neighbor in need. Herb prided himself on being a simple man with honor, integrity and plain old common sense. He is greatly missed, but there’s a place in our hearts where he will forever remain.
A graveside service will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Alpha Cemetery, located at 3363 Centralia Alpha Road in Onalaska, followed by a celebration of life beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Shoestring Community Church, located at 104 Frase Road, Onalaska.
