Jo Ann Lockstedt Hermes, age 89, of Victoria, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026, surrounded by her loving children. Born on January 29, 1937, in Moulton, Texas, Jo Ann was the oldest daughter of Carl and Anna Lockstedt. She graduated from Moulton High School in 1954 and was a four-year letterman for the Bobkittens basketball team. She then attended Baldwin Business School in Yoakum, Texas, after she and her best friend, Susana Beal, took a memorable trip of a lifetime to California. She married August E. Hermes, Jr., on January 12, 1957. Together they shared 59 years of marriage, five children, and built a family grounded in love, faith, and devotion.
A devoted Catholic, Jo Ann lived her life guided by her faith in God and a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. She was an active parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she was a long-time member of Parent Educator and Marriage Encounter and participated in the Pro-Life movement. She was honored to be a member of the Associates of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. It was her life's passion to instill her Catholic faith in her children, grandchildren, and all those who knew her.
Jo Ann was known for her humble, graceful, and generous ways. She loved baking cookies with the grandkids, reading, Bible study, sewing, the Houston Astros, and old movies.
She is survived by her children, Greg Hermes (Janet), Geralyn Hermes and Tim Hermes (Donna) all of Victoria and Tresa Thornton (Kyle) of Rockwall, Texas; siblings, Michael Lockstedt (Tutti) and Ray Lockstedt (Barbara); eight grandchildren, Lindsey, Kristen and Jordan Lopez, Brittany Flynt (Marc), Sarah Nadelson (Thaddeus), Amanda Cory (Aaron), Melanie Hermes and Brette Thornton; and four great grandchildren, Lilianna Cherry, Logan and Madelyn Flynt and Leo Nadelson. She was preceded in death by her son, Terry Hermes; husband, August; her parents; and siblings, Carol, Ben, Ronnie, and Jeffery Lockstedt and Rose Ritter.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Rosewood Funeral Home, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas, from 5-7 pm, with Rosary beginning at 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Victoria, Texas, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 10 am, with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Ray Lockstedt, Michael Lockstedt, Michael Hermes, Richard Hermes, Kyle Thornton, and Jordan Lopez. Honorary pallbearers are her loving granddaughters.
Her family would like to especially thank the staff at Shiner Nursing and Rehabilitation and Hospice of South Texas for all their love and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nazareth Academy, or any Pro-Life organization reflecting her lifelong commitment to service and faith.
Jo Ann loved to wear jewel tones of plum, teal, sapphire blue, ruby red, and emerald green. To honor her, we ask that you wear these colors if you are so inclined for the services.
"Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.”
