Virginia Ann Hermes, age 83, of Overland Park, Kansas, died October 20, 2019, at the home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, October 25, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 21650 W. 115th Terrace, Olathe, Kansas, and a private burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m., at St. Paul Church where the Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m.
Virginia was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 18, 1936, to Hazel Vivian (Meek) Ward and John Calhoun Ward II. She attended schools in Colorado, South Dakota, Kansas and Kentucky. She graduated from Lamar Union High School in Lamar, Colorado. She had an avid love of literature and art history and earned credit hours from several institutes of higher learning.
Virginia had been an active school and church volunteer, especially any activity involving her children. She was a preschool teacher at Asbury Methodist Day School in Prairie Village, Kansas for nine years, and she was a sales clerk at Macy’s Department Store, Oak Park Mall, for five years. She was employed by Johnson County Government (Park and Recreation District and Library) for 24+ years until her retirement on July 31, 2007, at age 71.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, John V. Hermes, in February 2010. He was afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease for six years, and with the loving assistance of her children, Virginia was able to care for him at home until his death. She was also preceded in death by her parents and brother, John C. Ward III, and several nephews. She is survived by her six children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Children:
Victoria H. Rindt (Daryl), Garden City, Kansas
Lynda H. Heimbach (Jeffery), Olathe, Kansas
Janet H. Day, Olathe, Kansas
Rev. Michael P. Hermes, Olathe, Kansas
Thomas S. Hermes, Frisco, Texas
Douglas J. Hermes, Liberty, Missouri
Grandchildren:
Erica Musgrove (Clint), Kyle Rindt, Alexa Smith (Drew), Suzanne Heimbach, Laura Flowers, Rachel LaFreniere (Philip), Riley Day, Diane Hermes and Matthew Hermes
Great-grandchildren:
Ella Ann Musgrove, James Clayton Musgrove, Nora Evelyn Musgrove, Anna Jo Musgrove, Nolan Victor Smith, Ion Hunter Flowers, Lexx Rose Flowers and Cecilia Marie LaFreniere
She is also survived by sisters, Helen Lucero (James), Tularosa, New Mexico, and Carole Godinez (Red Starkey), Amarillo, Texas, and brother, Bert D. Ward (Laura) Rolleston, New Zealand. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John Victor and Virginia Hermes Endowment Fund at Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kansas or Catholic Community Hospice.
The family is grateful for the care of Dr. Jeremy Cravens, Dr. Stuart Hinton and the staff from Catholic Community Hospice.
“We are often judged by our greatest achievements. My children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are mine.”