Thelma Herbst, 95

After 95 years, Thelma Herbst joined her beloved husband, Leonard Herbst, who preceded her in death.

Thelma, born on Jan. 29, 1925, passed away on Nov. 28, 2020, surrounded by loved ones. Thelma was constantly surprised and saddened that she was the last person standing in her family.

Thelma was born in a small prairie town 60 miles east of the Black Hills. She grew up during the Depression and survived the loss of her dad when she 15 years old, leaving her mother to raise seven children on this small South Dakota prairie homestead. From this she learned independence and developed a drive to make something of herself. Her high school years were spent in Sturgis, South Dakota, where she boarded with a local family who had a big influence on her life.

She attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, where she earned her Bachelor or Arts degree and also met her future husband Leonard Herbst who had recently returned home from World War II where he was a medic with the 3rd Army Air Force. Thelma Murphey and Leonard Herbst were married on Sept. 1, 1946, in Sturgis and moved to Presho, South Dakota, where their teaching careers began. Their family began with the birth of their daughter Leanna and followed by the birth of another daughter Janelle. In 1956 the family moved to Kimball, South Dakota, where Thelma taught high school and Leonard was the superintendent.

After seven years in Kimball the family moved to Pony, Montana, where Leonard served as the superintendent and Thelma taught high school and junior high. During the summer both Thelma and Leonard completed their advanced education at Montana State University. After two years in Pony, Thelma and Leonard, took teaching positions in Kalispell. Leonard became the principal of the junior high and Thelma taught at Birch Grove country school, and then she moved to the Evergreen Junior High. They remained in the Kalispell education system until they retired in 1980. During their retirement years travel, grandchildren, hiking Glacier National Park and gardening kept them busy. In 2001 Leonard passed away, leaving Thelma to continue without him.

Thelma is currently survived by her two daughters, Janelle Logan (Terry) from Somers, and Leanna Konechne (Patrick) from Berthoud, Colorado; and grandchildren, Lindsay and Jordan Reece, Jessica Kruse and Alex Logan. She is further survived by nieces and nephews in the Union Center, South Dakota area. Thelma was also very close to her beloved beagle, Mary Fern, and chow mix, Honey Bear, as well as several cats.

She also cherished her church family at the Epworth United Methodist Church, PEO and BSF.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.