Selma Herrmann
August 30th, 1939 - October 12th, 2022
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Selma's Obituary
Selma Herrmann, 83, of Holland (formerly of St. Joseph) passed away peacefully in her home on October 12, 2022.
Selma is survived by her sons, Scott (Sandy) Herrmann of Davisburg, MI, and Steve (Lindsey) Herrmann of Holland, MI; six grandchildren–Riley, Connor, Nick, Jetson, Madeline, and Westin; brother, Siegfried (Sandra) Pudell of Baldwin, MI; brother-in-law, Horst (Irma) Herrmann of Cedar Hill, MO, and brother-in-law Rudy (Pat) Herrmann of New Port Richey, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband Siegfried Herrmann, her parents Oskar and Frieda Pudell, several in-laws, and very young twin sisters in Poland.
Selma was born on August 30, 1939 in a German settlement in Volhynia, Poland to Oskar and Frieda (Heckert) Pudell. The turbulent, historic events at that time caused a one-month delay in her birth registration, thereby designating her official birth date as September 30, 1939. The family fled Poland and eventually settled in Alsdorf, Germany. They immigrated from Germany to the United States in September 1951, settling in St. Joseph.
On January 25, 1964, she married Siegfried (“Sig”) Herrmann of St. Joseph, MI (formerly of Danzig, Germany). Together, they raised a family while operating their photography and rental businesses. Selma was a loving, generous, hard-working and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and servant of Christ. She lived a life of selfless service, and especially enjoyed serving her family and guests delicious home-cooked meals and desserts. Her heart of compassion and service compelled her to try to ease others’ burdens—whether by helping in person, making a phone call, or by sending an encouraging card or note. Known as “Oma” to her grandchildren, she would often be seen playing on the floor, reading or telling them stories, and years later—calling or texting to stay in contact or to simply make sure they were o.k. Whether it was decorating or giftwrapping, or preparing her home for guests, she liked to add her own special touch, with the purpose of making a person feel that they mattered.
Selma enjoyed reading, theology, philosophy, growing in her faith, and volunteering in her church and in the community. She spent most of her life in the St. Joseph area, graduated from St. Joseph High School, and was a decades long member of Oakridge Community Church. She was active in senior ministries as well as benevolence ministries. She will be deeply missed by her family and her absence felt by many here on this earth, but we are grateful that she is finally free in her heavenly home.
A celebration of Selma’s life will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, October 21, at Oakridge Community Church, 766 Oakridge Drive, St. Joseph. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church from 1:00-3:00 pm. A private family burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery on Saturday, October 22. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Selma’s memory may be made to Oakridge Community Church. Those wishing to write a memorial for Selma’s memory book may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Selma is survived by her sons, Scott (Sandy) Herrmann of Davisburg, MI, and Steve (Lindsey) Herrmann of Holland, MI; six grandchildren–Riley, Connor, Nick, Jetson, Madeline, and Westin; brother, Siegfried (Sandra) Pudell of Baldwin, MI; brother-in-law, Horst (Irma) Herrmann of Cedar Hill, MO, and brother-in-law Rudy (Pat) Herrmann of New Port Richey, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband Siegfried Herrmann, her parents Oskar and Frieda Pudell, several in-laws, and very young twin sisters in Poland.
Selma was born on August 30, 1939 in a German settlement in Volhynia, Poland to Oskar and Frieda (Heckert) Pudell. The turbulent, historic events at that time caused a one-month delay in her birth registration, thereby designating her official birth date as September 30, 1939. The family fled Poland and eventually settled in Alsdorf, Germany. They immigrated from Germany to the United States in September 1951, settling in St. Joseph.
On January 25, 1964, she married Siegfried (“Sig”) Herrmann of St. Joseph, MI (formerly of Danzig, Germany). Together, they raised a family while operating their photography and rental businesses. Selma was a loving, generous, hard-working and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and servant of Christ. She lived a life of selfless service, and especially enjoyed serving her family and guests delicious home-cooked meals and desserts. Her heart of compassion and service compelled her to try to ease others’ burdens—whether by helping in person, making a phone call, or by sending an encouraging card or note. Known as “Oma” to her grandchildren, she would often be seen playing on the floor, reading or telling them stories, and years later—calling or texting to stay in contact or to simply make sure they were o.k. Whether it was decorating or giftwrapping, or preparing her home for guests, she liked to add her own special touch, with the purpose of making a person feel that they mattered.
Selma enjoyed reading, theology, philosophy, growing in her faith, and volunteering in her church and in the community. She spent most of her life in the St. Joseph area, graduated from St. Joseph High School, and was a decades long member of Oakridge Community Church. She was active in senior ministries as well as benevolence ministries. She will be deeply missed by her family and her absence felt by many here on this earth, but we are grateful that she is finally free in her heavenly home.
A celebration of Selma’s life will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, October 21, at Oakridge Community Church, 766 Oakridge Drive, St. Joseph. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church from 1:00-3:00 pm. A private family burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery on Saturday, October 22. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Selma’s memory may be made to Oakridge Community Church. Those wishing to write a memorial for Selma’s memory book may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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