Kathleen "Kathi" Herman
Kathleen Rose Herman, 73, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen, SD.
Kathleen (Kathi) Rose Fix was born March 9th, 1950, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD to Adam and Rose (Heintzman) Fix as the oldest of four children. She lived her early childhood on a farm in Onaka, SD. In 7th grade, her family moved to the “Big City” of Aberdeen, SD, where she went to Monroe Jr. High and met the “Love of Her Life” and future husband, James (Jim) Herman, at the age of 14. She graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in May 1968.
On August 1, 1969, Kathi married Jim Herman at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen. While Jim was stationed in Vietnam shortly after their wedding, she furthered her education at Presentation College as a Lab Technician and worked for Dr. Chang. After Jim’s tour in Vietnam, he was stationed in Ft. Riley, KS, where Kathi met him to live until he was discharged from the Army in May 1971. She and Jim then returned to Aberdeen, SD where they remained to raise their three children – Chad, Corey, and Jaimie.
First and foremost, she was the most caring, loving, and selfless Mother. She rarely missed an activity, was always the first one to volunteer to be a room parent at school, and also helped with both Boy and Girl Scouts. She spent many years in their home as a homemaker, always having everything organized, clean, and just right. When their kids were old enough to stay home alone, she went back to work at Kmart, H&R Block, and Control Data. Later, she returned to Presentation College, received her Nursing Degree and became a Registered Nurse, which allowed her to discover her true passion, working as a Psychiatric Nurse at Northeastern Mental Health under Dr. Dees and Dr. Giridhar. She formed many friendships with her co-workers during this time. In 1987, Jim and Kathi bought Herman House Moving from Jim’s parents. While Jim did the physical work, Kathi took on the office work on nights and weekends, in addition to her being a nurse during the weekdays.
Kathi and Jim loved to travel together and with family or friends. Jim became a very active member of House Moving Associations where they would attend meetings and conventions all over and became lifelong friends with many house movers and their wives around the world. They took many vacations with their children and Jim’s siblings and spouses. Kathi loved to go to Las Vegas with her friends and gamble but was always very strict with her daily spending money while there, even though she was always very lucky.
During her spare time, Kathi loved to read, bake, shop and plant flowers in her yard in the spring. There wasn’t a time where you wouldn’t see her with a book or Kindle in her hand, baking Christmas cookies, or her peach and pumpkin pies. She also loved her jewelry! Jim loved to spoil her with the prettiest sparkling diamonds and unique vacation finds. Her Grandchildren were her pride and joy. She went to activities ranging from soccer and basketball games, karate and taekwondo, to dance recitals, concerts, and all other school events. It didn’t matter if she understood the game or activity, she was always there to support them. She cherished time with her family.
In 2012, her family watched as her memory started to slip. It wasn’t until October of 2016 that she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She steadily declined, so Jim sold the house moving business so he could be home more to take care of her. In June of 2020, her family made the very hard decision to move her into Primrose, an assisted living home. As heartbreaking as this was, she had progressed so much by this time, it didn’t bother her. Nine months later, she was moved to Mother Joseph Manor, a skilled nursing facility, where she had been for the past three years. Jim was a fierce advocate for Kathi and Alzheimer’s up until his death in December 2022.
Kathi had the best sense of humor, loved to laugh, and had a lot of spunk. Jim would always say she was a “sparkplug.” At times through the past couple years, we could see our Mom’s real personality shine through which would make us laugh. It brings peace to our family knowing that our Mom has joined our Dad and they are both no longer suffering.
Grateful for having shared Kathi’s life are her children: Chad Herman (Nicole Nejezchleba), Corey (Anne) Herman, and Jaimie (Benjamin) Roberts; grandchildren: Dominic Herman, Eric Herman, Lotus Herman, Jaida Sanderson (Matt Johnson), and Sydnie Sanderson; siblings: Charles (Laurie) Fix, Lynn Fix, Dionne (Jim) Kokales; nephew, Spencer Kokales, and niece, Sierra Kokales.
Preceding Kathi in death are her Parents: Adam and Rose Fix; Husband: James Herman; Brothers-in-Law: Pete Herman, Doug Herman, and Scott Herman; and Sister-in-Law: Kathy Vance.