Kermit Clarence Walker

Kermit C. "Kerm" Walker passed away April 11 at Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire. He was born August 15, 1925 in Eau Claire to Samuel and Clara (Froseth) Walker. He grew up in Shawtown, attended Mt. Washington Grade School and was a founding member of the Flying Eagles Ski Club in 1933. Kerm married June Gullickson on March 18, 1950 in Eau Claire. They were married for 63 years until June’s passing in 2014.They raised 4 boys - Kim, Jeffrey, Richard and Michael.

   Kerm started working at Candell Grocery in Shawtown at age 14 stocking shelves.  At age 19 he leased the store for 5 years. At age 24 he bought the store and ran it for 5 more years. When that lease ended he opened the first supermarket in Eau Claire on Hastings Way across from Regis High School.  He also bought and ran a store on the corner of 9th Avenue and Water St.

   In 1964 he built the first modern supermarket in Eau Claire on Water Street known as Kerm’s Super Foods which became an icon for the next 40 years.  He bought Jay’s Supermarket on Seymour Road in the 70’s and turned it into a very successful store.  In 1980 he bought the Copps Consumer Center on the south side and renamed it Kerm’s Country Market. This was the first store in NW Wisconsin that installed product scanners that all stores use today.

   In the late 80’s he built Kerm’s Pick’n Save on Birch Street to replace the Seymour Road store.  That became the highest volume store in Eau Claire for many years. It was also one of the first stores in Wisconsin to accept credit cards for payment. Then in 1990 he assisted his 2 sons in building Kerm’s Pick’n Save in Chippewa Falls. He also bought Farrell’s Liquor Store on Water Street and moved it next to Kerm’s and re-named it The Stave and Hoop.

   Kerm sponsored both fast and slow pitch soft ball teams for 15 years that competed against the likes of Peter’s Meats, Shenanigans, Ray’s Place and the H & L.

   His most significant contribution to the Eau Claire area was the “Gold Cash Register Receipt Program” along with the Pick’n Save “We Care Program” It donated 1% of all purchases at his stores which amounted to well over $2 million dollars over those 40 years to local schools, church’s, and other non-profit organizations.

   Kerm was selected as the Small Businessman of the Year by The Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce in 1987.  He was also elected to the Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame in 2013.

   Kerm served on the Board of Directors of the following organizations: Luther Hospital (Vice Chairman) EC Kiwanis Club (Life Member) Flying Eagles/EC Ski Club (Life Member) Chippewa Valley Grocer’s Association, Wisconsin Grocers Association, Food Marketing Institute and First Federal Savings and Loan (Chairman).

   Kerm and June loved to travel.  They visited over 27 countries all over the world.  They also spent summers on Big Sand Lake in the Hayward area and winters in Naples, Florida.

   Kerm is survived by his sons Kim (Pam) and Rick (Brenda) and daughter in law Joann.  Grandchildren Eric Walker and Kjersten Berard, David, Brian, and Bradley Walker, and Ben and Elizabeth Walker. He also has 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, June, his parents and in-laws, brothers Archie and Donald, and sons Jeffrey and Michael.

   The family would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses at Mayo Health Systems in Eau Claire for their compassionate care.

   A visitation will be held Monday, April 22 from 4 – 7PM at Spirit Lutheran Church, 1310 Main Street in Eau Claire. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, April 23 at 11AM at Spirit Lutheran with Rev. Dr. JonPaul Dragseth officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire.    

   In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Spirit Lutheran Church, The Eau Claire Ski Club / Flying Eagles, or The Jeffrey K. Walker Humanitarian Nursing Scholarship, 105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

   Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family.  Please share your memories and condolences at www.lenmarkfh.com.