Eddie Dee Herman, 83, Hays, died Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Monterey Village Senior Living in Lawrence surrounded by his family.
He was born September 6, 1942 in Ransom, Kansas the son of Edwin Wendlin and Kathryn Silverine 'Katie' (Sander) Herman. He grew up in Utica and in 1961, he graduated from Utica High School. Eddie went to mechanic school and also attended Fort Hays State University. On May 7, 1966, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Elizabeth Fiegel in Dighton, and they celebrated 59 years of marriage.
As a hard-working man of the earth, Eddie’s conscientious work ethic, and pristine and detailed maintenance skills were evident in all he did at work and at home. He worked at the Fort Hays Farm, caring for the cattle, driving combine, working the fields, and doing equipment repair, and when he and Carolyn moved to Pratt, Eddie worked for Xtra Factors. They moved back to Hays, and from 1975 until 2001 he was a crop consultant for Farmers Co-op, now Midland Marketing Co-op. Eddie continued working the land for the next 18 years while farming for Virgil Dechant. He often went for Sunday country drives with his family to look at fields and livestock, and long after his retirement many farmers continued seeking his farming advice.
Eddie had a strong Catholic faith, which he passed on to his children through Catholic education. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence, the St. Joseph Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #1325, and was a faithful Eucharistic Adorer. Eddie also enjoyed singing in the St. Joseph Church Choir and the Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus.
He was always available to help with his children’s bicycle repairs so they could continue their newspaper routes, and as they got older, he helped them with vehicle repairs. Eddie was patient, gentle, kind, quick to share a smile, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife Carolyn of Lawrence, two sons Shawn Herman and wife Ruthie of Rockaway, NY and Taylor Herman and wife Kasie of Gardner, five daughters, Teresa Selensky and husband Curtis of Park, Claudine Boldridge and husband William of Lawrence, Laurie Toth and husband Pat of Lawrence, Nicole Smith and husband Brandon of Olathe, and Rachel Herman of Lawrence, his brother Gary Herman and wife Deanne of Tonganoxie, his sister Vera Soderberg of Quinter, a brother-in-law Jon Johnson of Utica, 12 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Verda Johnson, a brother-in-law Jerry Soderberg, and his grandson Aiden Dean Herman.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Curtis Carlson, OFM Cap. officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, both on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested for masses, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or to A Different Mindset Association. Condolences and memories of Eddie may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com