Services for Thelma Ruth Herman will be held 1 p.m. Friday, May 6, at Sitka Christian Center, 502 Hirst St. Pastor Bob Benton will officiate.
Thelma Ruth Herman
Following a graveside service, a reception will be held at the center.
Thelma, a Sitka resident since 1948, died April 22 at Sitka Community Hospital. She was 88.
She was born Sept. 13, 1927, in Sacramento, Calif., the daughter of (Hazel) Margarete Elsworth and (Louis) Lonne W. Hobson. When she was in her teens she was adopted, with love, by Frank and Ruby Mattis.
She graduated from McClatchy High School in Sacramento, and on a steamship cruise to Alaska with her parents, she met Tony Herman, who was returning to Sitka from Seattle. The two exchanged letters for several months after that, and on April 3, 1948, they were married, above the old fire hall (where First National Bank Alaska is now located). Tony was a member of the fire department for many years.
Along with raising a family, Thelma worked at Ben Franklin. She loved crocheting, knitting, word games and crossword puzzles. She made many sweaters over the years that have been handed down to her great-grandchildren.
She was a loving mother, grandmother and neighbor – Janet and Dan Evans and their son Logan were a part of her extended family, and she loved them as her own. Many of her grandchildren also were very close to her.
A warm and giving person, she helped many of those in need.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Tony, in 1997; sons Robert Steven Herman in 1981, Gary James Herman in 1995 and Richard Lee Herman in 1973; and a grandson, Rod Herman, in 1989.
She is survived by her daughter, Toni Lostotter, of Sitka; daughter-in-law Terry Herman, Auburn, Wash.; granddaughters Christine R. (Ken) Phillips of Renton, Wash., Kimberly M. (Terry) Johnson of Bellingham, Wash., Tara D. Johnson of Texas, Stacy Herman of Washington state, Chelsea Herman of Washington state, and Shanda Herman of Madison, Wis.; and grandsons Christopher T. (Cheri) Herman of Anchorage, Zacharia Stone of Washington state, Joshua Herman of Middleton, Wis., and Ryan Herman of Atlanta, Ga.
Great-grandchildren Jacob S. Phillips,
Wasilla; Ruth H. Phillips of Juneau, James C. Phillips of Sitka; Krisanna, Eyan, Kiera and Sophia Phillips of Renton, Wash.; Adrienne Leroy and Oscar Plum of Bellingham, Wash.; Keegan Legg, Auburn, Wash.; Danika Herman, Anchorage; Sonny and Starla Stone of Seattle; Emmett Herman, Middleton, Wis.; Carter Herman of Atlanta; Payne Adell of Madison and Rileigh Miller of Washington state; and great-great-granddaughter, Reiko Phillips of Wasilla also survive.
A lifelong friend, Kate Sulser of Sitka, also survives.
Pallbearers will be Dan Evans, Chris Herman, Will Collins, George (Casey) Phillips, James Casey Phillips and Justin Olbrych.
Honorary pallbearers are Gil Truitt, Herb Didrickson Sr., Sam Martin, Gary Paxton, Ken Phillips, Howey Pitts and Logan Evans.
