Herman H. Von Essen, 77, of Mazeppa, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Mayo Clinic Hospital - Rochester, St. Mary's Campus. Funeral service will be on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at St. John's Lutheran Church - Mazeppa at 2 p.m., with Pastor Alan Horn officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Mazeppa cemetery, with military honors. Arrangements were made with Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel. Herman Henry Von Essen was born on March 2, 1939, to Arthur and Pearl (Mallette) Von Essen in Oakland, Neb. He was baptized and confirmed at the Elim Lutheran Church in Swaburg Township, Neb., and graduated from Oakland High School in 1956. Right after high school, Herman joined the United States Navy and served four years. In the early 1960s, he was briefly married to Laurel Sibley, and they had one daughter, Karla. They later divorced, and Herman rejoined the United States Navy to pursue a long-term career. Herman married Lois Kruger on June 25, 1966, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Riceville, Iowa. They moved to Chula Vista, Calf., and had two children, James and Lorna. Herman was later transferred to Greats Lakes, Ill., where he retired in 1981 after 24 years of service and five Vietnam tours with the rank of chief gunner's mate. The Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago, Ill., was where Herman entered and retired from the USN. After his retirement from the military, Herman and his family moved to Mazeppa so he could farm on the land he purchased back in the early 1960s. Herman was a member of the Zumbro Falls VFW and the America Legion Post 0588 - Mazeppa. Herman enjoyed the outdoors, nature, cutting wood, the range hogs and hog huts, horses, target shooting and loved telling Herman stories. Herman is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lois; son, James (Maria) Von Essen, of Peru; two daughters, Karla (Frank) Turchin, of Cottage Grove, and Lorna (George) Davidson, of King City, Mo.; grandchildren, Christopher, Michelle, Rachel and Jesse; two sisters, Glenice Watson and Judy Otteman; and niece, Kia (Steve) Hackman. Herman was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jane Frandsen; and infant brother, Raymond Von Essen.