Howard Richard Herrmann

Howard Richard Herrmann was born April 22, 1924 in Webber, Kansas and passed away April 12, 2019 at the Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Kansas.

He was the son of the late Paul Herrmann and Gladys Claudia Browning Herrmann. Paul Herrmann was a German immigrant and Gladys Browning’s family was one of the original families to settle Jewell County in the 1870s. Her father H.L. Browning built and operated a sawmill in the town of Salem.  After the building of the railroad they opened a hardware store in Webber.

Howard’s boyhood centered around helping his father and three brothers - Roebert, Frank, and Norman operate Herrmann’s Blacksmith Shop in Webber. For over 65 years their family served the farmers of north central Kansas and south central Nebraska.

Howard attended Webber schools until they closed in 1941 and completed high school with the Mankato High School Class of 1943.

Using the skills he learned from his father he spent 40 years as a welder and a machinist working on projects ranging from the building of Lovewell and Waconda reservoirs to the construction of I-70 and I-135.

In 1949 Howard married the love of his life Martha (Carl) Herrmann and together they raised two sons Michael and Wayne.

Their 70-year union served as an example of how to make a marriage work through love and mutual respect.

In 1968, he relocated his family to Mankato where he was a member St Theresa’s Catholic Church and retired from a job as a machinist with the Mid-America Dairymen of Superior, Nebraska.

Howard took great pride in Kansas’s history and was an active member of the Jewell County Historical Society.

In 1978, along with men like Jim Decker, Bud Hills, and Boyd Silsby they organized the first Jewell County Threshing Bee and for over 30 years Howard worked tirelessly in support of that event.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. He is survived by his wife Martha of the home, sons Michael and his wife Erika of Columbia, South Carolina and Wayne of Wichita, Kansas; as well as grandchildren Ryan Fickle, Bryan Herrmann, Theresa Herrmann, and Troy Herrmann, and two great-grandchildren Braydon Blevins and Piper Simmonds.

The mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Mankato, Kansas with Father David Micheal.  The organist will be Ms. Judy Wagner and cantor will be Mr. Rod Broeckelman.  Casket bearers will be - Troy Herrmann, Bryan Herrmann, Paul Brand, Ed Komp, Earl Dean Gravatt, Danny Carl and Gary Carl. Rosary will be said Monday, April 15, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Mankato, Kansas with Father David Micheal.  Graveside services will be Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., St. Peter and St. Paul Cemetery, Cawker City, Kansas.  Visitation will be, Monday, April 15, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary.  Online condolences can be left at www.melbymortuary.com.  Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.