This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath158 Surnames: Herman, Reissig, Burdick Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5251/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Fern Margaret Reissig Herman died on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Village, in Las Cruces, NM. Fern was born on September 27, 1924 to Dr. Arthur Reissig and his wife, Verna Elizabeth (Burdick) Reissig in Dunkirk, New York. Fern attended Miami University of Ohio, and then studied botany at the University of Michigan, where she met and fell in love with fellow student, George Herman. In 1946, Fern graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and married George. Fern and George had the good fortune to spend over 60 wonderful years together. Fern was a devoted mother and proud of her two children, Lee and Linda. While the children were in school, Fern worked at the State University library in Bowling Green, Ohio, where she and George lived for over 30 years. Fern was a gourmet cook and enjoyed learning to make Indian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Japanese and Mexican dishes. Fern never stopped learning; she attended classes at the University in Library Science and Russ! ian, cooking classes, language lessons in Hebrew and Russian, and she and George taught themselves Spanish for their trips to Mexico. Fern loved nature and was always nurturing a plant cutting, rooting a seed, and hatching Monarch butterflies. Fern was a long-time member of PEO and the League of Women Voters. After retiring from the University in 1983, Fern and George moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. They came for the climate and culture and made enduring friendships. In 2002, Good Samaritan Village became their home. They treasured friendships with the staff and other residents in this supportive community. After George passed away, Fern was sustained and comforted by friends throughout Las Cruces, who kept her an active part of their lives during her remaining years. Fern was passionate about the Fiber Arts. She was an active spinner and weaver, and an accomplished seamstress, embroiderer, beader and knitter. She created some of the best Halloween costumes in Bowling Green. She was a member of the Mesilla Valley Weavers Guild, the Embroiderers Guild of America, and the Southwest Regional Spinners. Fern was known for her handiwork skills and the clothes she made from her handspun yarn and hand-woven cloth. Fern volunteered at the NMSU University Museum where she helped catalog a! nd inspect the museum's collection of fiber and fabric exhibits. Fern supported the Tres Manos weaving program, the Dona Ana Historical Society, and the ACLU. Music was a constant for Fern. She sang to Lee and Linda throughout their childhood, played the piano for many years, and attended recitals and concerts all of her life. She particularly loved Blues and Dixieland Jazz, and supported and enjoyed the Las Cruces Symphony concerts. Fern is survived by her son, Lee Herman; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Zender; granddaughter, Sarah Herman; her daughter, Linda (Herman) Donovan; son-in-law, John Donovan; her sister, Suzanne (Reissig) Hemberger and numerous nieces and nephews. Fern was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dr. George Herman and her brother, John Reissig. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fern's name may be made to Good Samaritan Society Las Cruces Village, 3025 Terrace Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88011; to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88005; or to Tres Manos, the CAA Weaving Program, Community Action Ag! ency of Southern New Mexico, 3880 Foothills Road, Suite A, Las Cruces, NM 88011. At Fern's request, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to gather at a celebration of Fern's life on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 3:00 pm in the Stuckey Auditorium at the Good Samaritan Society Las Cruces Village. Published in Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.