On April 6, 2024, after 100 years, 2 months, and 5 days, Barbara Catherine (Artzer) Herman passed quietly from her earthly home into the waiting arms of her husband, Joseph William Herman, so they could continue square dancing and the polka. She is pre-deceased by her parents John Jacob and Barbara Ann Artzer, her brother Ambrose and Marge Artzer, her sister Marilou and Raymond Ziegler, her brother-in-law Ralph Hueser; her daughter Mary Ann Meier, her granddaughter Crystal Jean Kelly, and her great-grandson Levi Robert Herman.
She is survived by her brother John and Mary Jane Artzer, Topeka, KS; sister Ruth Ann Hueser, Omaha, NE; her 4 children, Joseph, Jr. and Colleen Herman, Albuquerque, NM; Barbara Kay and Robert Kelly, Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua; Daniel and Brigitte Herman, Hazlet, TX; Donald and Kathy Herman, Livermore, CO; son-in-law Robert Meier, Topeka, KS; in addition to 19 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Barbara was a devout Roman Catholic. She and her husband Joe had vowed since their wedding day to pray the rosary together each and every day. They were married 74 years (a lot of rosaries!) before Joe passed 3½ years ago. Mass was not to be missed! All 5 children attended Catholic elementary and high school. She belonged to the Altar Society at Sacred Heart Church in Topeka and Catholic Daughters Society at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Albuquerque.
Barbara prepared excellent meals in the German tradition and quickly learned the New Mexican cuisine of red and green chili. She was employed as a PBX telephone operator for Southwestern Bell and the Medical Center in Topeka, again with SW Bell and Montgomery Wards in Albuquerque.
Barbara was a gardener of flowers, fruit, and vegetables. She was surrounded in her front and back yards with roses. Apricots from her tree were shared by many. She grew tomatoes, cucumbers, rhubarb, and figs. After retirement, Barbara and Joe traveled to all but a few states in the USA including Alaska in their trailer. They made trips to Europe, especially Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, and the Holy Land, and Central America including family in Nicaragua.
Special thanks and blessings to all her healthcare workers: Lucille and Elda; Darienne, Maria, Shannon, Andrea, Wahid, and Myrlease (Visiting Angels); Estella, Hannah, Elvis, and Dimitra (Haven Care Residential Memory Care); Ericka and Jay (Bosque Trails Hospice).
On Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Albuquerque, there will be a Rosary at 10:30 AM and Mass of Celebration at 11:00 AM.
On Friday, May 31, 2024 at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, there will be graveside services for inurnment of both Barbara and Joseph Herman at 11:00 AM.
Please consider donating to your favorite charity, church, or hospice on her behalf