Rosella Marie Herrman's Obituary
On September 26, 2022, Rosella Marie Herrman, beloved wife and mother, passed away at the age of 85 in Tacoma, WA. She was surrounded by her family.
Rosella Marie was born on August 3, 1937, to John and Margaret Heckele in Ellinwood, Kansas. The second eldest of four children, Rosella–nicknamed “Bobbye” by her father–could often be found assisting her dad with chores around the family farm. Being born during the depression helped shape Rosella’s resourcefulness, resilience, and sharp sense of humor, which she modeled for her family throughout her entire life.
Shortly after graduating high school in 1955, Rosella married Edward Herrman. The young couple–both raised in devout Catholic families–started a family and moved to Seattle, WA shortly thereafter. Rosella had five children in five years: Julie, Mike, Linda, Karen, and Diane. In 1961, she and Ed moved to Maple Valley, WA. Rosella’s father traveled from Kansas to help the family build a home along the Cedar River, where her youngest child, Mary, was later born.
Raising six children was a full-time job, and the family’s finances were often lean. Rosella stretched every available nickel by growing much of the family’s food and sewing most of their clothes. She raised (and butchered) chickens, pigs, and cattle; smoked handcrafted meats and cheeses; managed an impressive garden–she’d later earn distinction as a master gardener–put up fruits and vegetables; and baked bread. One of Rosella’s granddaughters remembers being delighted to discover a bathtub full of cucumbers soaking in pickling brine during canning season.
Rosella’s pioneer-woman skills were enhanced by her warmth. She went to extraordinary lengths to make sure that her family always felt loved, especially when resources were limited. She also had a particular soft spot for people who were different and downtrodden.
In 1972, Rosella met friends of Ed’s, Virgil and Laura Boyt. The two families quickly established a lifelong bond, attending many social events and other family-oriented activities. Along with her children, and later with her grandchildren, Rosella participated in archery, canoeing, black powder rifle and pistol shooting, camping, and fishing. She was a talented photographer as well. Later in life, she took up acrylic painting and produced a number of exceptional works of art.
In December 2015, Rosella married Virgil Boyt, her best friend and soul mate of 43 years. Together with their families, the couple celebrated their union with a beautiful ceremony on the Tacoma waterfront officiated by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu. Later they made numerous trips canoeing, kayaking and just having a grand old time together. Their families would joke that these elders seemed more like teenagers. Rosella’s golden years were filled with love, joy, and laughter with Virg by her side.
For the last several years, she and Virgil lived at the Eliseo Retirement Community, where they enjoyed gardening, visiting with their neighbors, and hosting family.
Rosella will be forever missed by her husband Virgil Boyt and her children Julie (Mike) Leahy, Mike (Jenny) Herrman, Linda Herrman (Mark Moburg), Karen (Bob) Adams, Diane McCuistion (Jim Radford), and Mary Herrman (Robin Layton). Left with decades of fond memories are her sister Peggy Stremel (Jake) and brother John (Michelle) Heckele, Jr. She was a devoted Grammy to her nine grandchildren Jen Leahy, Robbie McCuistion, Jacob Herrman, Liz Thompson, Kristine Herrman, Sarah Selkowitz, Lauren McCuistion, Ian McCuistion, and Elijah Herrman, and 14 great-children. As the matriarch of the Herrman family, Rosella leaves an indelible legacy as the most resourceful, generous, warm, and incredibly funny woman we will ever know. She continues to shape, inspire, and guide us.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Sunday, October 9, 2022, at Mountain View funeral home in Lakewood, WA, followed by a 2:30 PM reception at Eliseo Retirement Community’s Mortvedt Center. Friends are welcome to join in sharing memories of Rosella and celebrating her wonderful life.
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