Kathleen A. Herberger

Katheen A. Herberger was born in 1938 in Tonawanda, NY. As a young girl, she moved to a farm in Williamsville with her parents Frank and Cora (Berg) Walker and six siblings and began attending school at St. Mary’s in Swormville. She later attended Williamsville High School and worked at Beck’s Dairy. She married Donald J. Herberger in 1957 at St. Mary’s Church, and the couple made a home for themselves and their seven children on Stahley Road in East Amherst.

Kathy’s kitchen - well-stocked, organized, and immaculately clean - was the center of her home. It was a place for gathering with family, baking endless batches of cookies, and canning vegetables from the family garden. From homemade ice cream to freshly baked granola to rhubarb jam, love was the main ingredient in everything Kathy served.

Family was Kathy’s focus. She raised her children by setting an example of kindness and caring. As school portraits hanging in the home entryway were joined by wedding photos and then pictures of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kathy’s love grew with the size of her expanding family.

Kathy chronicled the life of her family in a daily journal. A book for each year, a page for each day, she dutifully captured the big events and the small happenings. Birthday gatherings, the cost of materials for home renovations, what was served for dinner, who came to visit. Years later, whenever someone was trying to remember a small detail or date, Kathy would announce, “It’s in my book,” pull the correct year off the shelf, and find the memory within its pages.

When she and Don bought a cottage in northern Ontario, Kathy organized regular trips between their two homes, keeping a careful to-do list, packing coolers, and making sure the kids had clothes for sunny beach days as well as chilly walks in the woods. A second KitchenAid mixer was purchased.

As comfortable as Kathy was at home, she was also open to adventures. She sat beside Don as he piloted their small airplane to Florida, Expo 67 in Montreal, and grassstrip landings on the shore of Lake Ontario. She drove their VW Bus on the highways and dirt roads that led to the cottage, and at almost 70, she and Don packed their bags for a trip across the Atlantic to tour religious sites in Italy.

After Don was diagnosed with lymphoma and could no longer donate blood platelets, Kathy began donating in his place and then biked in the very first Ride for Roswell, starting an annual family tradition that continues this year with the 30th anniversary ride.

Kathy was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2012 and immediately educated herself on the disease and what could be done to slow its progress. She started a regular exercise routine, began riding a stationary bike, and even took up boxing - a very tangible sign of her fight against Parkinson's.

Faith was intertwined through all aspects of Kathy’s life. She shared her faith with her family, it guided her decisions, and it gave her strength through Don’s cancer and her own Parkinson's. Kathy carried her faith with her wherever she went - at home, to the cottage, into the church pew. In many ways, St. Mary’s was an extension of her home. She sent all her children to the same school she’d attended. She helped in the cafeteria and kitchen during lunches, she chopped vegetables for chowder at the picnic. Kathy led Christ Renews retreats, donated to help fund the school addition and new church, and of course brought baked goods whenever they were needed.

Kathleen was the beloved wife of the late Donald J. Herberger. Loving mother of Donna (Jeffrey) Allan, James Richard, Jeffrey (Mary Beth), Andrew (Lynn), Brian (Maureen), Daniel (Jaima) and the late James Edward Herberger. Dear grandmother of 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren (with one on the way). Beloved daughter of the late Frank A. and the late Cora C. Walker. Predeceased by all her sisters, brothers and their spouses - William (Lois), Myrle (Oland) Goodwill, Donald, Earl (Marion), Nancy (Willard) Marshall and James (Nancy) Walker. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends may call on Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 3-7pm at DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY 14051. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 27th, 2025 at 10:30am at St. Mary’s Church Swormville, 6919 Transit Rd. East Amherst, NY 14051. Please assemble at church. Private inurnment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s School Education Endowment Fund, c/o parish office, St. Mary Church, 6919 Transit Rd., East Amherst, New York, 14051. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.denglerrobertspernaeastamherst.com