Ruby Rose Herman

Ruby R. Herman, 91, of Waukon, IA, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 29th, at 11:00 AM at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Sunday at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Zalmona Presbyterian Church, Mt. Hope Cemetery Fund, or the Veterans Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation.The service will also be livestreamed on the funeral home's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/martinfunerals 

Ruby Rose Herman was born November 21, 1934, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Earl and Myrtle (Sadler) Beardmore. She was baptized and confirmed at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin, IA, attended English Bench grade school in rural Dorchester, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1952.

On June 1, 1952, Ruby married Nyles Herman at Mt. Hope. They farmed in Union Prairie Township, raising chickens, hogs, cattle, and grew crops. They also owned and operated Waukon Feed Ranch, a grain elevator where they sold chemicals, fertilizer, seed, farm supplies, and feed. In 1989, they retired and moved to Waukon.

Ruby was a wonderful cook and baker, known for bringing meals out to the fields and feeding everyone. You never left her house hungry; she made sure of that. She was also known for her Christmas cookies, candies, and strawberry pretzel dessert.

A longtime active member of Zalmona Presbyterian Church, Ruby was involved in the ladies U.P.W. and sang in the church choir and at ecumenical concerts. She loved singing and often sang with her sisters Mae and Jane. She also sang in the Farm Bureau chorus and for many weddings, funerals, and baptisms, including all of her children’s weddings and at some of her grandchildren’s baptisms. She held monthly sing-alongs and programs at Makee Manor, Northgate Care Center, and Good Samaritan Center. Ruby was a former member of the New Century Club as well

She loved spending time with her family and attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities. Ruby enjoyed riding their motorcycle with Nyles around the countryside and took several trips to Sturgis, SD. They loved traveling throughout the United States and also took trips to Germany, Alaska, and Monaco, Europe. For 25 years, they wintered in Texas. In 1986, during a trip to Nashville, TN, Ruby recorded “How Great Thou Art”, which was one of her favorite hymns.

Ruby is survived by her children: Brad (Judy) Herman of Waukon, Kim (Ron) Winters of Waterville, IA, and Brent Herman and Brian (Michelle) Herman, both of Waukon; daughter-in-law Pam Herman of Lansing, IA; 11 grandchildren: Natalie (Bret) Rasmussen, Chad (Sara) Winters, Angela (Judd) Larson, Kristyna (Devin) Kass, Justyn Herman, Vannessa (Justin) Breese, Felicia (Clint) Lickteig, Travis (Eden Connelly) Herman, Breanne (Travis) Bernau, Trevor (Kylie) Herman, and Alexa (Kramer) Dixon; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother-in-law Jan Esch of Strawberry Point, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Nyles in 2020; brother Glen (Rae) Beardmore, three sisters: Helen (Delton) Mohwinkle, Mae (Willard) Gustin, and Jane (Leon) Schoh; two sisters-in-law: Marian (Hanley) Jenkins and Vernell Esch; and brother-in-law Ruben (Helen) Herman.

Honorary casketbearers are Ruby's caregivers, who took care of her twenty-four seven. Casketbearers are Travis, Trevor, and Justyn Herman, Chad Winters, Bret Rasmussen, Clint Lickteig, Travis Bernau, Judd Larson, Justin Breese, Kramer Dixon, and Devin Kass.