John Arthur Herrmann

John Arthur Herrmann

March 27, 1939 - June 28, 2012

John Arthur Herrmann was born March 27, 1939 at St. Catherine's Hospital in McCook, Nebraska. He was the son of Roy Arthur and Leona (Lenhart) Herrmann. John's mother Leona died when he was 10 days old. At the age of 18 months, Art married Ruth Kingsley Lindsay at Lodi, Wisconsin. They made their home in McCook where Art was a funeral director and Ruth was choir director at both McCook High School and McCook Junior College.

John grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook Senior High School in 1957. Before spending two years at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska, John attended McCook Junior College. Upon returning to McCook in 1960, John met Karla Luwan Sailors at the Southwest Nebraska Medical Center where she was an x-ray technician. On June 25, 1961, John and Karla were married at the Hamlet Union Church in Hamlet, Nebraska. Following their marriage, they moved to San Francisco, California, so John could complete his education in mortuary studies. Following graduation, John and Karla moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where John began his internship and soon after received his funeral director license. In 1963 both Karla and John returned to McCook, Nebraska where they spent the remainder of their lives.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Karla, who recently passed away in May. For over 50 years of marriage, they worked together to raise three daughters. Later, they enjoyed being grandparents to four grandchildren. Additionally, they were business partners, side-by-side at their business.

John had a passionate love of aviation and is a 55 year member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He is a 50 year member of the Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook. John received his 50-year membership from the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association in April, 2012. He was also a long time member of McCook Rotary Club, Past Master of McCook Lodge #135 A.F. and A.M., All York Rite Bodies of McCook, Tehama Shrine, Tehama Western Shrine Club of McCook and Eureka Chapter #86 O.E.S.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Karla; grandparents, Adam John and Hannah (Timm) Herrmann; his parents, Arthur and Ruth (Lindsay) Herrmann, Leona (Lenhart) Herrmann; two infant sisters, Ann Marie and Margaret Jane, and his father-in-law; John Sailors.

He is survived by three daughters: Sandra and husband, Mark Gutierrez of Thornton, Colorado, Laurie and husband, Kyle Hansen of Broomfield, Colorado and Jauna Kay McCormick of Broomfield, Colorado; four beautiful grandchildren, Ashleigh and Brooke Hansen of Broomfield, Colorado and Connor and Brooklyn McCormick of Broomfield, Colorado; one sister, Helen and husband, Dr. John Schreiber of Colorado Springs, Colorado; mother-in-law, Letha Sailors of McCook; sister and brother-in law, Jaunetta and Dr. Harry Strohmyer of Cypress, California; nieces, Lindsay de Zubeldia, Cindy Schreiber Huxley, Chelsi Wilson and Mandy Revelle and many other cousins that include Victor and Christy Herrmann and Sondra Claire of California.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook. Burial will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Hermann Funeral Home. A memorial has been established in his memory. Hermann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.