Jaci Jean Hermstad

Jaci Jean Hermstad, age 26, of Spencer, Iowa and formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa passed away Friday, May 1, 2020 at her home in Spencer. A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. at Swiss Acres: 2828 220th Street Terril, Iowa 51364. Following the service there will be a meal provided along with a dance and bonfire. Jaci loved all things country and this is exactly what she hoped and believed she would do when she got better. So to honor Jaci, we feel like this is the perfect way to Celebrate her life. We ask that you kindly RSVP at: https://bit/ly/JaciHermstadRSVP. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Jaci was born along with her twin sister Alex on August 22, 1993 to Jeff and Lori (Hadden) Hermstad in Cherokee, Iowa. Jaci attended St. Mary’s Catholic Schools and Storm Lake Community Schools. Jaci was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, in 2008. Jaci was active in many sports and very much enjoyed outdoor activities. She loved four-wheeling, snowmobiling, gardening, boating – and especially found a passion for riding horses. Jaci and Alex were introduced to horses at the age of 4. Jaci looked back at that day as the moment her enthusiasm and love for horses began. Riding horses became her therapy and helped her feel close to Alex as she moved forward in life without her sister at the age of 17. She won numerous 1st place awards at the Buena Vista County Fair as a 4-H member. She was passionate about livestock, horses and rodeos. She was crowned Miss Rodeo Cherokee in 2012. She felt a sense of duty and honor with the position as young girls, even years later, would tell Jaci how her kindness impacted them. Anyone who met Jaci fell in love with her infectious personality and zest for life. Jaci graduated from Storm Lake High School in 2012. She was a featured speaker at her commencement ceremony where she said, “life will give you trials and tribulations but it’s how you respond to them is what’s important.” Jaci excelled at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa earning an Associates of Applied Science degree in Agricultural Production Management but more importantly, winning hearts. She served as an Agriculture Ambassador for the school and was asked to speak at a scholarship recognition dinner. She left everyone in tears as she walked off stage to a standing ovation. Jaci interned at a working cattle and horse ranch in Montana over the summer of 2014 where she learned a lot about western lifestyle and cow/calf operations. There were no worries of this cowgirl from Iowa keeping up with the ranching chores. It was one of the happiest and most memorable times in her life as she always wanted to venture out west. Jaci then graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science from South Dakota State University. She found her dream job in Spencer working for Spencer Ag as a field marketer. Jaci cherished and loved her time working at Spencer Ag, all the people she worked with, and customers around NW Iowa. Jaci’s coworkers and customers quickly learned that she gives 110% to everything in life. Jaci dove headlong into her career with the same determination and joy for life she always had. She was a board member on the Clay County Cattleman’s Association and the Clay County Farm Bureau. The Spencer Daybreakers Kiwanis Club recognized Jaci just last year for her outstanding efforts and dedication to agriculture. She could shoot the breeze and her quick and witty personality left everyone with a smile. Jaci had a sweet disposition to be able to talk to anyone. Additionally, if you were around Jaci, within no time at all, her infectious laugh would fill the air. If you listened closely, you would hear some fun-spirited snorts too. Frequently referred to as Ginger, Jaci was known to buy lunch for a stranger, as a Jaci-way to pay it forward to others. Jaci didn’t let losing her sister Alex to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) stop her. Though a part of her died along with Alex, Jaci didn’t turn towards despair and darkness. She embraced life and loved her family, her friends, her faith, her job and her horse, Bud. She lived her life with laughter, courage, and a positive outlook – even against impossible odds after her own ALS diagnosis on Valentine’s Day 2019. As Jaci faced the same disease that took her sister on Valentine’s Day 2011, she didn’t give up. She stood up to the ravages of ALS and fought it courageously. She personally urged lawmakers and the FDA to release a new personalized drug designed for her to treat her relentless type of ALS. Eventually that drug would be known as “Jacifusen”. She started treatment in June of 2019 and had her 12th and final treatment in March 2020. She did not lose the fight against ALS. Jacifusen is currently being used to treat other ALS patients and eventually expanding from there. Her doctors have hope Jacifusen is on the cusp of becoming a cure or to at least slow down symptoms for Jaci and Alex’s type of ALS. Jaci and Alex are both our selfless heroes in the ALS community. They are helping to save lives and advancing science furthering studies by both valiantly donating their tissue to research to a level where someday soon a cure might be found. With a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye, Jaci always lived up to her response to the question “How are you doing?” by replying “Livin the dream.” Jaci’s sacrifice, perseverance and courage in the face of overwhelming odds, is already becoming legendary in the ALS community and her story will have everlasting influence on countless others. The impact Jaci’s life and journey had is profound – thousands of well-wishers from all over the world followed Jaci and hoped and prayed for the miracle of a cure. Jaci’s parents, Jeff and Lori, cannot express their thanks enough to so many. Though her time tragically ended far too soon, Jaci loved life and lived it to the fullest with no regrets. She loved horses, cows and all animals, loved to dance, loved running, loved country music, loved snowmobiling and four-wheeling, loved to make others laugh, loved to work hard, loved spending time with family and friends, loved to encourage and lift up those who are down and loved living her faith. Jaci embraced life and Heaven is now lucky to have our Cowgirl. Those left to cherish her memory include parents, Lori and Jeff Hermstad of Spencer, Iowa: maternal grandmother, Jean Hadden of Storm Lake, Iowa: uncles and aunts: Scott (Renee) Hadden of Victoria, Minnesota; Terri (Bruce) Groen of Spencer, Iowa; Mike Hadden of Indianola, Iowa; Mike Hermstad of Spencer, Iowa; Tim (Mary Boge) Hermstad of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Brad (Heidi) Hermstad of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; cousins: Kady Groen of Des Moines, Iowa; Brody (Mikaela) Groen of Minnetonka, Minnesota; Ashley and Amanda Hadden of Victoria, Minnesota; Heather (Kyle) Hennings of Hartley, Iowa; Haley Hermstad of Hartley, Iowa; Grayson and Kayley Hermstad of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; extended family and many friends. Jaci is preceded in death by her identical twin sister, Alexandria “Alex” Hermstad; maternal grandfather, David Hadden; paternal grandparents: Milo Hermstad and Colleen Hermstad; uncle, Bruce Hermstad; and aunt, Denise Hermstad. As was often spoken, “Love you sweet cheeks” ~Jaci Thank you Jaci for nearly 27 years of joy, love, faith, inspiration, laughter and courage. Your sense of humor, your playful and positive outlook on life helped us through so many rough moments. Most of all we will never forget that sparkle in your eyes, like a light shining right from your soul. As a believer that Christ gave us an eternity with Him, we take some comfort knowing we will be together again and we’ll treasure seeing you on a beautiful horse, a smile on your face and your hair waving in a heavenly breeze, shouting happily “Livin the Dream.” Rest now our daughter and know you are loved. Love, Mom and Dad

Jaci Jean Hermstad

August 22, 1993 - May 1, 2020