Name: Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home
Address: Fresno, CA


A TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER, ANNA B. HERZOG
Born August 19, 1923 in Jamestown, ND
Died December 7, 2012 in Fresno, CA
By her eldest son, Richard Herzog:

While watching all the old Western Movies that Dad liked to watch, I would see all the covered wagons with people that used to load up all that they owned and travel across the country, in all kinds of weather. I would wonder how they could do that…well I now know it was people like my folks, that had that tenacity , heart, stubbornness, or as my Mom would say: “…I am not stubborn, I just want what I want, when I want it, just like you do!”  (Guess that is where I get my stubbornness from!)  Mom's fried chicken, is one of “Her” recipes that ALL of us have loved for years and none of her kids and/or wives or others have ever mastered and no matter how much we measure the ingredient's, it never matches her  “pinch of this” and a “dab of that.  Think it was just her love for us that was the “Magic” ingredient we were missing.

One of my Mom's favorite game shows is ‘Wheel of Fortune”.  One time Kari and I took Mom and Dad to Chukchansi, at this time, there was one large “Wheel of Fortune” game that we were able to get both Mom & Dad to play, only because it was a $0.01 (Penny Machine).  They would put in $5.00-$10.00 to play and thought they could play forever on that little amount of money; but, this machine needs to be played at a maximum bet in order to win the “BIG MONEY”.  We would slip a $100.00 dollar bill in the Game, when they were not looking…if Mom ever knew of our actions, she would have had “some choice words for us”.  Dad hit a couple of jackpots for $370.00, which he thought was a $3.70 Ticket he was holding in his shirt pocket.  Mom kept playing and finally hit several “Jackpots” and one of the “Big Ones”.  She was so proud that she had won more money than Dad and had let him know it over and over, even on the way home. Mom had finally had enough and wanted me to cash her ticket in, I told her that I would go to the window with her, but she had to cash it.  When she did, she was embarrassed when the Teller cashed her out and gave her $760.00.  Mom tried to argue with the Teller, insisting that they had made a mistake.  Dad's ticket was $3.70 and hers was $7.60.  The Teller and staff finally calmed Mom down, and explained one Ticket was $370.00 and hers was $760.00, the look on both Mom's and Dad's faces were worth $1Million Bucks to me.

Mom was happiest
during the Holidays with all her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and this
year, her first great, great-granddaughter, Kinsley Ryan Herzog was at the
table. Although this last Thanksgiving was at Mom's house, as she demanded;
in her very convincing way, to spend what may be her last Holiday with the
Family in her home. We made the meal.a potluck with all family members
bringing their 'Favorite Something'. Mom was sitting on a chair in the
kitchen directing our every move Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning
giving directions to follow "Her" unwritten recipes!


Some of my best  memories are of the many camping trips to Yosemite, with Bill, and Grandma & Grandpa Herzog;  July 4th trips back to North Dakota to visit Grandma & Grandpa Cotton.   Next, I remember Mom and Dad coming to all my baseball games after working all day.  My most favorite memories came later, during our family's latest and most competitive endeavor, Circle Track Racing.  Memories of all of the races that Mom and Dad came to, with Mom even coming to a few earlier this season was probably the greatest memory, as so many of us, her children, and even grandchildren raced.  I know she also came so she could come down to the infield and have a picture taken with us on the finish line with the trophy.  I hope God forgives her for what some people (fellow racing fans & families)  would call her “foul words”, in such times when, a fellow racing competitor didn't give me, what she thought was enough room on the track.

Growing up, you never know how much your parents do for you, but watching how Mom and Dad were with our kids and grandkids and now with her most precious great great-granddaughter, you could easily see how much family meant to them, especially this last Thanksgiving, when Ryan & Karly were unable to be in town and they both came back to see Mom with Dustin and Michelle and their Beautiful Miracle Daughter, Kinsley Ryan Herzog.  The ‘Light' in Mom's face and eyes, even after a long day for her with all the pain she was experiencing still showed through.  It was very evident that day that my Mom still had ‘Sparkles' in both her eyes and on her face when it came to her family.

Mom, I know you wanted to go be with Dad, but I will miss your fried chicken, bean salad, turkey, potatoes and gravy, your love of doing for everyone else first, but most of all, I will miss you.

Sincere condolences to Ann's family. I worked with your mom many years ago at Montgomery Wards. She was a very nice lady and we all had some good times and laughs when we weren't busy. I know she loved her family very much and I'm sure she will be missed by all of you.

My deepest condolences to the family- God bless each of you in this 
difficult time     The Firpo Family

Anna was our neighbor, she will be missed, I will never forget last Christmas when we hid our boys' bike in her garage so they wouldn't see it until Christmas morning. Then an angel added another bike so the boys would each have one, bless you Anna! Our prayers are with you Gene, Richard and family, we know you loved her so much!

Ann was a very nice lady, always the ultimate chef on the camping trips. my condolences to Gene , Richard and their families....jim myers

Ann, she was a lovely person. I was her
sidekick at wards, at the old store and
new store. We had many good times and lots of laughs. She will always be in my memories.
May God be with you. Janette Price

The death of a love one is very difficult. Therefore, I'd like to share scripture that may help. Please, read John 6:40, 44

To the families of Richard & Gene.  I am so sorry for your loss. You are both in my thoughts.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.   So sorry we can't be there with you, but you are all in our prayers.

OBITUARY

Anna B Herzog

August 19, 1923 – December 7, 2012

Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home

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