Kermit FolslandKermit Folsland passed away peacefully with his family present on March 18, 2017, a month after his 92nd birthday, in Dana Point, California. Kermit was born on the family farm near Oldham, South Dakota February 16, l925 to Alfred and Lenore Severson Folsland. Kermit attended country school at the Hill School which was only ½ mile from his home. After graduating from the 8th grade, he attended high school in Oldham. He was active in sports, but often had to miss as he took over management of the family business at 13, because of the illness of his Father. He often drove through eastern South Dakota with his truck loaded with honey which he sold to grocery stores. He was often stopped by the police who mistakenly thought there was no one driving the truck as Kermit was just 13 and short for his age. At that time driver's licenses were not required in South Dakota so he was always sent on his way with a warning to get home by dark. Kermit was an excellent student and athlete in his early life and went on to a long career in farming and beekeeping which lasted 6 decades. His brother James joined him in the family business after his graduation. In 1944, Kermit joined the navy. He was accepted into the Naval Air Corps. After basic training in Idaho, he was transferred to San Diego to await air training. While waiting for a slot to open, he was assigned to a troop transport ship the US Butte as a radar tech. He served in the Pacific theater and was present at the battle of Okinawa. When peace was announced, he was sent back to San Diego and then offered flight training. The offer required a 6 year commitment so he declined to return to South Dakota to the farm. He did attend South Dakota Sate University for a year before returning to farming full time. In the early seventies, he took a load of bees to Grass Valley, California to pollinate almond groves in the central valley. He continued going west for a number of years, and built a home near Grass Valley which served as a winter residence and a base for his beekeeping business. He met a gentleman from The Netherlands on a Honey Association trip to Europe, who was a honey processor. They struck up a conversation which resulted in Kermit exporting honey to Europe for years. His last honey exports were to Quaker Oats Europe. He enjoyed traveling to the International Honey Conventions through out the world. His last trip was to China and Japan.Kermit married Patricia Ann Jensen in San Lorenzo California. Kermit and Patricia had two children Kathryn and Terrill. Kathryn was diagnosed with leukemia at 12 years of age and passed away in 1960. Her death was a wound that never healed. He was an active member of the American Legion, joining in l947. Kermit held many positions for Post 158, he was also county commander. He was a long time member of the Madison Elks Lodge. For many years he served on the board of directors for the Volga Coop Company, only retiring when the coop was dissolved. He was a self taught electrician. He was always willing to help neighbors and friends with electrical problems.Kermit loved his time at the family cabin at Lake Poinsett. He spent countless hours in the boat teaching his nieces and nephews to ski at the cost of a good sunburn. Kermit's real passion was golf. He could always be found on Wednesday afternoons and Sundays on the golf course with Don Severson and Bob Sneesby. He also played at Ben Brown's Golf Club in Laguna Beach California during their time there in the winter. He played his last round at 90 with his California buddies. Family and friends joined Kermit to celebrate his 90th birthday at the same club. Kermit was preceded in death by his daughter Kathy, his parents, his sister Ardelle and numerous Aunts and Uncles. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Terrill and his brother James, and many nieces and nephews, especially Jackie Leonhardt and Michelle Longville and their families with whom he has such a special relationship.The family requests any memorials be sent to St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis TN. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Oldham Lutheran Church with Pastor Joanne Nagele officiating, burial will be in the Oldham City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Friday in the church and preceding services in the church. Johnson-Henry Funeral Home