Keith Douglas Herman, 74, conceded to his battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday, August 20, 2016, when he went to join his Lord in a place of greater peace. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister-in-laws; Earl and Glendola Herman, Dean and Thelma Herman, Elmer Herman, Gerald Herman, sister and brother-in-law; Kathryn and Victor Holst and his first wife; Carol Herman.
He was born to Melvin John and Ernestine Caroline (Guth) Herman on December 20, 1941 in Marengo, IA. Keith served in the U.S. Army from 1960-1963; in which he received the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Army Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Sharpshooter Rifle M-14).
At the age of 16 he had met and fell in love with Mary Ann Marple, who would become the love of his life. After his honorable discharge from the service, he went in search of Mary Ann. Through circumstances beyond their control, a love so strong would endure and entail a journey of 40 years before they would finally be together again. They were united in marriage September 20, 1997.
After his Army discharge he spent most of his life working as a printer at the Des Moines Register & Tribune newspapers in Iowa. He also worked at the San Jose, California Mercury-News and eventually returned and retired from the Des Moines Register newspaper. Following his retirement, he relocated with his wife Mary Ann to Canon City, CO where he spent a good deal of time remodeling houses for resale for his brother Norman. In 2014, Keith and Mary Ann relocated to Alliance, NE to be closer to children and grand-children and had served as the primary caregiver for his wife, Mary Ann until they relocated to the Good Samaritan Village together.
In the past, Keith had been a member of the International Typographical Union and The Nazarene Church; and was quite involved and passionate about the Loaves and Fishes program with various church affiliations and helping many of those less fortunate. He always gave of himself to others and helped many who were less fortunate where he could, he loved going fishing and spending time with his family and will be remembered for his kindness and wonderful sense of humor.
Keith is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann Herman; daughter, Jonnie (Willy Smith) Kusek of Alliance, NE; son, Brian (Cherie) Herman of Denver, CO; and his daughter Shawn (David) Swan of Lincoln, NE. He will be lovingly remembered by his grandsons; Caleb Bishop, Cody Bishop, Bruce (Bessie Li) Kellerman, Darien Swan, Stuart (Sondra) Herman, Trevor Herman; great-grandsons, Brandon Bishop, Tanner Grothe, Carson and Conner Herman; brothers, Norman (Jan) Herman; sisters, Lenore (Chester) Pearson, Ruthmary (James) Tibbetts, Marcia (Norman) Lamprecht/Butch Pearce; sisters-in-law, Norma Herman, Mary Ann Herman; and his daughter-in-law, Becky Herman.
As was his giving nature and wish, his body has been donated to the Anatomical Board of Nebraska for the advancement of medical education and research. A celebration of his life will occur at a later date. Memorials may be sent in care of the family at, 623 E. 3rd St., Alliance, Nebraska, 69301 for allocation to local nonprofit organizations.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.