She was born in Indianapolis on August 12, 1936 to Gordon and Katherine White. Barbara was the eldest of four children and was raised by her single mother and her grandparents who surrounded the family with love and support.
Barbara met the love of her life – as she would often say, “next to God, the best thing in my life is my husband” – at the age of 14. Barbara married Edward Everett Herman on December 28, 1956 at the age of 20.
Edward and Barbara made a home in Indianapolis and raised three children who meant the world to them. Settling in a home on Taunton Road in Indianapolis, the pair built a pool so their home could be a hangout for the kids’ friends, just as Barbara’s grandparent’s house had been for Barbara growing up.
Active in her Church, she was known, first, for loving the Lord above all else. She traveled the world on mission trips, fed the homeless and needy, and took loving care of her grandfather, Ed’s uncle and her mother in their later years. Barbara’s mother lived with her and Ed for several years until Grandma Katie’s passing.
Barbara and Ed spent their retirement living between Indiana – where they built a home in Greensburg - and Florida. The home in Greensburg was built with the intent to host family and their numerous friends. Barbara loved to entertain and she would tell you (and mean it) that her motto was “the more, the merrier”. She was a phenomenal and prolific cook. Her family all has more than one favorite dish of hers that was often repeatedly requested. Favorites were mostly German dishes and of course, her desserts. There were no “pitch ins” or “potluck” parties at the Herman house. Barbara would easily cook for 20 or more people without breaking a sweat and it brought her great joy to share the love for entertaining instilled in her by her grandmother who taught her to cook.
Barbara will always be remembered for her love for the Lord, her love and devotion to her family (children, grandchildren and great grandchildren) and friends who became family. We can and will always hear her say “oo la laa” when she liked something, “danke shoen” when her breakfast was set on the table, “think again!” when told something with which she disagreed and we knew she just tries to “go with the flow” and did “the best I can with what I’ve got”. Barbara was to her family and friends easy going and affable, warm, generous and kind, and we will miss her every day.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, James (Bud) White, and Charles White and is survived by her husband, Edward Herman, her children, Edward Herman, Jr (Nancy), Pamala (David) Phillips, John Herman (Stephanie), her sister, Jackie Herman (David) and ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 10, 2024 for family and friends. Details will be shared as they are available. There will be a private burial in Indianapolis on Friday, March 1, 2024.
