Ford Whitney Hermanson

Son, Father, Brother, Husband, Mentor, Guide, Businessman, Designer, Builder, Traveler, Adventurer

Ford Whitney Hermanson was born on March 7, 1941 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to Gladys Marie (Maring) and Alton Ovid Hermanson. Ford had two younger brothers Victor and Dean.

-Ford grew up on Hermanson's Resort on Big Floyd Lake

-President of his class all four years of High School

-Played basketball and football at DLHS

-Part of 1st class to graduate from the new DLHS in 1959

-BS and Masters in Mathematics from NDSU 1964

-Designed and built Ironman Golf Course Front Nine 1960

-Designed and built Ironman Golf Course Back Nine 1965

assisted by his father A.O. Hermanson in building both nines.

-billed as the "Longest Par 3 in the Nation"

-created many golf events: The Hole-in-one Contest, The Longest Day of Golf, The Ironman Short Stop, and the Ironman Junior Tournament,

Men's Club, Ladies Day, Couples Night.

-Built 2 unique geodesic domes in 1974-75 One was the clubhouse and the adjoining dome was the family residence.

-1979-1980 traveled to Mexico as a family

-Owned and operated Ironman Golf Course 1960 - 2000

-Sold Ironman Golf Course to Kris and Margery Smith in 2000

-2003 designed and built lake house on Big Floyd Lake

-2005 designed and built eco house on the highest point on the island of Solarte near Bocas Del Toro, Panama

-lived for 20 Winters in Panama

-resided at Pelican Landing the last two years of his life

-Married Jill Patterson in 1963 divorced 1972, two children Hans and Hal

-Married Pat Seybert in 1972 divorced 2010 two children Chuck and Ursula

-life partner Carmen Bonilla of Stillwater, Minnesota until 2023

Ford Whitney Hermanson passed away peacefully in his sleep early morning on Thursday, September 17th, 2026. He was 85 years old.

Ford was preceded in death by his parents Alton Ovid and Gladys Marie Hermanson and younger brother Victor.

Ford is survived by his brother Dean Hermanson of Detroit Lakes and four children.

Hans Ford Hermanson of Florida and Detroit Lakes Minnesota,

Hal Bradley Hermanson of Eugene, Oregon

Chuck Henry Hermanson of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Ursula Marie Hegvik of Fargo, North Dakota

And seven grandchildren: Garrett Kvilvang, Tyler Anderson, Tanner Hermanson, Cooper Hermanson, Porsha Hermanson, Oliver Hegvik, and Dexter Hegvik.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 5th, 2027 at 9:30am at the Sunlite Bar and Grill. Just off the 4th green of Ironman, Sunlite was a favorite treat and snack stop for many golfers at Ironman including the Hermansons. All who knew and all who loved Ford are welcome to attend.