Carol Herman

December began with another trip to Iowa for the funeral of Russ' stepmother, Carol. She passed away on the Friday following Thanksgiving, and we are grateful that family was present with Wayne during that time. Anna and Joshua traveled to attend the funeral, although Caleb couldn't join due to his medical school commitments. We appreciated the opportunity to spend time with extended family and also with Nicolas, Josie, Myles, Lydia and Seth.

A picture of Carol with a few of the grandkids summer of 2018

Visitation night at the funeral home.

Saturday's funeral was quite windy. Nicolas was a pallbearer with other grandsons.

Carol Jean (Kidney) Herman, age 101, of rural Glidden, IA, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, November 29, 2024 with her husband, Wayne at her side.

Carol was born on September 5, 1923 on her family’s farm northeast of Glidden.  She was the daughter of Mason and Theresa (Runkle) Walker.  She grew up on the farm and graduated from Glidden High School in 1940 as Valedictorian of her class at age 16.  She was an excellent piano player and was invited to travel and play with Parkinson’s National Music Ensembles for 2 years following high school.  She was married to Lowell Kidney on March 11, 1942 in Grant City, MO.  The couple made their home on a farm south of Glidden.  Carol worked as a bookkeeper for McLaughlin Farms for many years. Carol and Lowell had four children: Guy, Oren, Lois, and Vey.  Sadly, in 1970, Lowell passed away of a heart attack.  Carol then began her career as a bookkeeper for McLaughlin Farms for fifteen years.

Carol donated 2 acres of farmland in the late 1970’s for the building site of Pleasant Ridge Community Church.  While attending this church, Carol met the song leader Wayne Herman, a widower with five children.  The Lord supplied Wayne and Carol with another partner after the unexpected deaths of their spouses.  They were married on February 28, 1986.  Wayne and Carol have resided in their home south of Glidden until her death.  Carol had a love of Siamese Cats, she enjoyed raising African violets, and always had a large garden.

Carol is survived by her husband Wayne Herman of Glidden; a daughter Lois Kail (David) of Concord, CA; two sons: Guy Kidney (Joy) of West Des Moines and Vey Kidney (Pam) of Greenwood, IN.  Carol is also survived by Wayne’s children: Philip Herman (Pam) of Des Moines, Keith Herman (Beth) of Reliance, SD, Nathan Herman (Tisha) of Reliance, SD, Renee Olsen (Andy) of DeKalb, IL, and Russell Herman (Laura) of Boise, ID. Between Wayne and Carol they have twenty-nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Carol also has several nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. Carol was preceded in death by her parents Mason and Theresa Walker; two sisters: Thelma and Verda; three brothers: Lowell, Bert, and George; her husband Lowell Kidney in 1970; and a son Oren Kidney in 1971.

After the funeral, we gathered with other family members to reminisce and reconnect with those we had not seen for several years.

Great-Grandpa Wayne holding Myles for the first time. Wayne pointed out that Myles is the first great-grandson who can carry on the Herman name.

Four generations

Wayne with his siblings

While in Iowa, we heard Josie sing at the Christmas showcase in the mall in Sioux Center and also caught Thursday night worship at Dordt, when Seth was playing the keyboard.