Obituary of Herma Jo Andersen

Herma Jo Andersen, passed away at her home in Iowa City, Friday, June 27, 2008. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Herma’s memory to Iowa City Hospice or St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Iowa City. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Herma Jo Hudson was born May 9, 1930, the daughter of Gabe and Greta Hudson. She was a coal miner’s daughter born in the mining camp of Hardburly, Kentucky. After finishing high school, Herma Jo came to visit her aunt and uncle who were living in Anthon, Iowa. Shortly thereafter she was employed by Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator. There she met John V. Andersen who was a student at Buena Vista College. They were married on April 13, 1949, in Correctionville, Iowa. After ten years of marriage, John accepted the position of teaching music in Storm Lake, Iowa. At that time Herma entered Buena Vista College where she graduated with a BA in Elementary Education. She taught kindergarten in Early and Nemaha, and the fourth grade in Alta. For years she also substituted in the Storm Lake area. She was a 50 member of the Order of Eastern Star, Methodist Church, Elks Club, and the National Education Association. The couple moved from Storm Lake to Iowa City in 2003. Herma loved to sew and cook and was excellent at both. She made every day a fashion statement. She loved all types of music, especially country western. She loved to hoe down to the great old country music and onlookers were marveled at her innate talent. She and John were excellent ballroom dancers and loved dancing to the big bands. They were particularly great at the jitterbug. She loved to travel, but not stay away from home too long. Every year she would visit friends and relatives in the hills of Kentucky. Her greatest pleasure was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved doing the many things they enjoyed doing. She was a strong women of substance and a wonderful role model. Her family includes her loving husband of nearly sixty years, John; their children, Pamela Jo Wartick and her husband, Vance of Urbandale, IA, John Vesti Andersen III and his wife, Dawn of Westin, FL, and Michael Sue Kohli and her husband, Steven of Iowa City; grandchildren, Jason Wartick and his wife, Tricia, Ashlynd Kohli, Tyler Andersen, and Abbie Andersen; two great-grandchildren, James and Maggie Wartick. She is also survived by her brothers, Harold and Bill Hudson and sisters, Thelma Jean Holland, Geraldine Smith, Phyllis Tabaka, Madeline Arnett, and Sandra Bellak; sisters-in-law, Betty Andersen and Norma Jean Glassburner. She was adorned by many other family members and friends. Her parents preceded her in death. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Herma’s family.