Catherine Ann "Kay" Herrmann

Catherine A. “Kay” Herrmann, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 11:26 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2017 surrounded by her family, and in the arms of her husband, at her home in Niles.

She was born on August 25, 1936 in Niles to Joseph A. and Mary M. (Farrell) Wetmore.  She was graduated from Niles High School, and earned and Associates Degree from Southwestern Michigan College.  As a young woman, she was employed at the former Davis Products in Niles, and the former Buchanan, Michigan plant of Clark Equipment.  She then began a career as a medical records librarian, at the former Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland – Niles), and Lee Memorial in Dowagiac, and for many years serving as a tumor registrar at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.  She also served the State of Indiana as a consultant.

Kay was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles where she also served as a musician, playing the organ, piano, and guitar; and assisted with creating and publishing the parish’s Centennial Book.  She enjoyed flower gardening, camping, fishing, completing crossword puzzles, and reading everything, especially mysteries.  Her greatest joy – other than always singing – was caring for her family.

On November 22, 1956 at Saint Mary Catholic Church she married Robert J. Herrmann with whom she celebrated last year the remarkable Sixtieth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Bob Herrmann and their children, Laura Ann (& Andy) Hulce of Holland, Michigan, Jane Elizabeth (& Mark) VanOsdol of Westfield, Indiana, Mary Kay (& Paul) Kane of Niles, and Carol Lynne Jewell of Rockford, Michigan; grandchildren Amanda (& Josh) Dykema, Amber (& Andrew) Miller, Elise Hulce, Erik Kane, Kelly (& Kyle) Tait, Scott Kane, Jesse VanOsdol, and Connor, Cullan, and Donovan Jewell; and Kay’s sister, Eulalia (& Frank) Joo of Niles, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a twelve-day-old grandchild, Larissa VanOsdol; and by Kay’s siblings, Sr. Margaret Wetmore, S.S.J., Patricia Groth, Mary Chapman, Michael Wetmore, Anna Finch, and Raymond, William, Edward, Adelbert, and David Wetmore, Rita Wetmore, and an infant brother.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Catherine Herrmann will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Saint Mary Catholic Church by the Rev. Christian Johnston of the parish.  Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m.  Contributions in memory of Kay Herrmann may be made to the Wetmore Student Scholarship Fund at Saint Mary’s School.