Full Obituary

COLLEEN MARIE HERMAN, 88, died at home on Friday, January 2, 2015, surrounded by her beloved family. She was born on November 16, 1926 in Eidsvold, WI to Melvin David Biddle and Mabel Mae Flora. She was a 1944 graduate of Thorp High School. Colleen moved to Milwaukee after high school, where she worked as a secretary. She later was employed as a secretary at the Blue Moon Cheese Factory in Thorp. On February 7, 1948 she married Robert (Bob) Charles Herman at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thorp. Colleen and Bob owned and operated Herman's Bar for over 30 years.
She was a member of St. Bernard/St. Hedwig's Catholic Church and its Parish Council of Catholic Women, the Busy Dozen Homemaker's Club, and the Thorp American Legion Auxiliary Post #118. In addition to once being a member of the church choir, she also used her vocal talents to sing at many weddings and funerals through the years, including four of her daughter's weddings. She loved all creatures great and small, particularly her dog Lily. She was an avid reader who always had a good book on her night stand. Colleen's kind and quiet nature were a gift to all who were privileged enough to know her. Her family never questioned her love and devotion to them, and she always looked forward to any time she could be with her family.
Colleen will be dearly missed by her five daughters: Twyla (George) Lato of Muskego, WI, Lynn Herman (Bruce Virgin) of Cambridge, WI, Sherrie Szemraj of Janesville, WI, Robin (Jim) Erickson of Eau Claire, WI, Jane (Cliff) Hollister of Thorp, WI; nine grandchildren: Chris (Kari) Lato, Rebecca (Jim) Shikenjanski, Anissa Rusch, Scott (Maryam) Rusch, Paul (Suzie Matthews) Szemraj, Sara (Nick) Dongarra, Mark (Jessica) Erickson, Nick Erickson (special friend Kelsey Hendrickson) and Danielle (Tony) Petranovich. She was lovingly called "Grandma Great" by fourteen great grandchildren. Colleen is also survived by one brother: Galen (Betty) Biddle of Safety Harbor, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert, son-in-law: Roger Szemraj, and granddaughter-in-law: Susan Szemraj.
A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Thorp Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A Memorial Mass and celebration of Colleen's life will take place at St. Bernard/St. Hedwig's Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 10:30am.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, Colleen's family suggests that memorials be made in her name to the Clark County Humane Society or the Thorp Public Library.
The little girl from Eidsvold with the beautiful voice was the best mother in the world!