Pat Herman

Patricia Kay “Pat” Herman, nee Riese, Asleep in Jesus, surrounded by loved ones, on Tuesday July 8, 2025, at the age of 80. Pat was the beloved wife of the late Ken Herman for 18 years until his passing. In 2011, Pat was blessedly united with Fred Balsman, her cherished life partner for the next 14 years. Devoted mother of Ron Brewer and Missy (Chris Zimmer) Schumann; blessed grandmother of Niccole Brewer, Josh Brewer, Caci (Jake) Colvin, Joseph Schumann, and Nicholas Schumann; and treasured sister of the late Roger (the late Jackie) Riese, Ken (Jan) Riese, and Jan (Jerry) Keplinger. Pat is also survived by many other beloved relatives and dear friends.

Pat was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, and lived on a farm, her parents Lester and Helen, nee Mitchell, Riese on September 8, 1944, where she lived with her family until she was 12 years old and they moved to St. Louis, Missouri. While in St. Louis, Pat attended and graduated Riverview Gardens High School. Pat lived in Texas for a short time before life brought her back to St. Louis where she began her career as a banker.

Throughout her life, Pat’s faith was paramount to her and the love that she would share with others. She was incredibly involved in St. Trinity Lutheran Church, and made many connections across all ages. Pat would help provide rides for seniors in the church to and from church services, and attending many church vacation trips, bringing joy and cherished memories to countless. Additionally, Pat would teach Sunday school, helping to instill a great foundation of faith in the expanding minds and hearts of the young parishioners. In 1977, Pat met Ken Herman and their love for one another and The Lord helped their family to grow. Following Ken’s passage into Heaven in 1995, Pat’s love and generosity would continue to flourish.

In her free time, Pat loved doing puzzles –both jigsaw and word-- with Fred. She also had an insistent desire to check and fix things that broke. Her care, love, and hope of making things right in the world extended to everything in her life.

Pat’s love knew no bounds, befriending and caring for all who entered her life. No matter how briefly she knew them, Pat would willingly give the shirt off her own back to help another. However, Pat’s greatest loves were her family and her faith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Trinity Food Pantry or St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Pat's honor.

A visitation for Pat’s family and friends to gather and celebrate and share memories of Pat’s life will be held on Wednesday July 16, 2025, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons South County Chapel 4830 Lemay Ferry Road St. Louis, MO 63129. Her funeral will be held the following morning, July 17, at 10:00 AM, also at the funeral home. Interment in St. Trinity Cemetery following her funeral.

May she rest in eternal peace.