Retha Herman

Retha Gail Herman of Rio Verde, Arizona passed away on Friday morning March 27th, 2026.

She was born on November 17, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri to William Goldman and Esther Goldman (Rainen).

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Larry Gene Herman also of Rio Verde; son Michael Herman (Linda Kroeger) of Lincoln, Nebraska; daughter Laurie Patania (Rick Patania, deceased) of Mesa, Arizona; grandsons Jacob Herman (Jessica Holloway) of Denver, Colorado and Philip Herman of Minneapolis, Minnesota; granddaughter Valerie Patania also of Mesa, Arizona; and great grandson Ezekiel Herman of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by her older brother, Michael Goldman, now of Overland Park, Kansas.

Along with her grandmother Doris Rainen, mother Esther, and daughter Laurie she was part of four generations of women that were proud lifetime members of Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America.

Larry and Retha raised their family in Omaha, Nebraska and they moved to Rio Verde in 2007. She was a devoted wife and mother who always made certain everyone was well fed and happy. She took pride in her cooking and baking and was especially known for her cheesecake, Hanukkah poppy seed cookies, and banana bread, that she shared generously with friends and family alike.

She graduated with a BA in Social Work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1984, ironically on the same day Michael graduated from the University of Iowa and Laurie from Westside High School. While she was not a practicing social worker, she worked in many roles during her lifetime, including as special education assistant in the Westside Community School District and B'nai Brith Youth Organization Director.

Many would agree that Retha had the gift of gab, which served her well as a telemarketer and saleswoman. To talk to Retha even for a few minutes you would soon become her close friend and receive a loaf of banana bread. Retha made beautiful jewelry, especially earings, and enjoyed sharing them with family and at art shows in the area.

She and Larry enjoyed attending jazz concerts throughout the valley and were regular patrons of several local venues, including the Nash Jazz Club where they were sustaining members.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Meanwhile, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of following organizations:

The Nash Jazz Club (https://thenash.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/)

Planned Parenthood of America (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/other-ways-give)

The American Civil Liberties Union (https://action.aclu.org/give/now)