On the evening of January 6, 2021, Herman Joseph Waidmann (formerly of Gerald, MO) passed away peacefully at Oak Pointe of Rolla, Rolla MO, in the presence of his daughter. Herman was being comforted by familiar staff members of Oak Pointe and Preferred Hospice. Herman was 98 years old at the time of his passing.
Herman was born April 2, 1922, in Bourbon, Missouri, to George Joseph Waidmann and Margaret Mary (Bechter) Waidmann, the oldest of three children. Herman grew up on a family farm near Bourbon, Missouri. He resided there with his parents, George and Margaret Waidmann, his grandparents, Joseph Waidmann and Wilhelmina (Ott) Waidmann (Stuttgart, Germany), his brother, Charles Waidmann, and his sister, Rosemary (Waidmann) Brown. Herman attended Mound School, a one-room schoolhouse, during his early elementary years.
“The Depression years beginning 1929 were a time of surviving. We had plenty to eat, but no money. Mom would wash our overalls after we went to bed and dry them on chairs by the stove as we only had one pair for school.” “Times were hard for mom and dad. I always remember November 15th it was legal to set traps then to January 15th. Dad set traps up and down the Bourbeuse Creek for at least two miles. We caught muskrats, skunks, opossum, and minks. The hides we sold was the money for Christmas. Charlie and me ran the traps before school. We got up around 4:30 AM, then after school we had to skin and stretch the hides and hang them up to dry. Hides brought $1.25 to $2.75…” “There was no end it seemed to the work which was cutting wood, hauling manure, shucking corn. If the weather was bad, Grandma would tell Charlie and me to get four nice rabbits shot in the head and she would make Hasenpfeffer….”
In November, 1944, Herman was drafted and served in the Army-70th Infantry during World War II. His service in the European Theater included tours in Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium. During his service, Herman was involved in Intelligence and Reconnaissance as a German Interpreter. Some of his other responsibilities included guarding the bridges along the Rhine River, POW Camp supervision, and the Motor Pool. After the War ended in Europe, Herman was shipped to the Mediterranean (Marseilles) for amphibious training in preparation for the invasion of Japan. Herman served his country honorably until his discharge in September, 1946.
After returning from military service in 1946, Herman and his brother Charles operated a rock quarry for Crawford County. After several years of operating the quarry, Herman and his brother returned to farming. In 1954, they sold the farms and Herman moved to Gerald. Herman married Edna (Schulte) Waidmann On May 29, 1955, and on March 15, 1963, they gave birth to a daughter, Jayne Marie (Waidmann) Brinker.
Herman and his brother-in-law, Oscar F. Schulte, bought and operated a farm-to-market transfer of milk for Quality Dairy in 1955. Herman and his brother-in-law sold the milk transfer business in 1968 and Herman then purchased Gerald Lumber Company with his brother, Charles Waidmann. Waidmann Brothers Lumber Co. was in operation until its sale in 1978. During this time Herman also served on the Board for Prudential Savings and Loan Company.
In 1978, Herman then purchased the Save-A-Lot grocery story in Owensville, Missouri. He added the Package Post Liquor Store in 1980, and in 1981, Herman and his cousin, Kenny Limberg, put in a Medical Arts building also located in Owensville, Missouri.
In 1983, Herman, along with four other gentlemen, purchased the Eagle Bank. They renamed it Charter 1 Bank where Herman served on the Bank Board. In 1986, Herman sold the Save-A-Lot grocery store and the Package Post Liquor Store, and in 1990, the Charter 1 Bank was sold.
Herman was also a member of the American Legion Post 587 and the VFW.
In November, 2018, Herman and his wife, Edna, moved to Oak Pointe, an assisted living facility in Rolla, MO. Herman was always known for his story telling, and loved to entertain the staff and residents with his stories and infectious laugh.
Herman was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a beloved uncle and great-uncle. Herman dearly loved his family, and he loved entertaining his many friends and family members at his home frying fish, making home-made ice cream, and playing cards. Herman took great pride in his catfish ponds and enjoyed feeding his catfish as well as watching his daughter, son-in-law, great-grandsons, or close family friends pull out a big fish.
Herman is survived by his daughter, Jayne (Waidmann) Brinker and his son-in-law, Keith, of Union; his granddaughter, Brittani Koelling, of Polk City, Iowa; two great-grandsons, Chase Koelling and Ryker Koelling, Polk City, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other family members, and numerous friends.
Herman was preceded in death by his wife, Edna (Schulte) Waidmann, his parents, George Joseph Waidmann and Margaret Mary (Bechter) Waidmann; his brother, Charles Waidmann and his sister-in-law, Patricia; his sister, Rosemary (Waidmann) Brown and his brother-in-law, Maurice; his grandson, Kurt Birke; and his niece, Linda (Brown) Rodden.
A companion visitation for Herman Waidmann and his wife, Edna, who passed on Dec. 29, 2020, will be held on Friday, Jan. 22 from 9-11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Gerald.
A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Church with Pastor Glenn Hollander officiating.
Please observe covid restrictions. Masks are suggested.
Arrangements entrusted to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville.
