Dorothy Herman, age 82, passed away peacefully in her home in Leola, SD, on Sunday, January 17, 2021.

Dorothy Ann Crompton was born May 31, 1938, at Brentford, SD, to L.T. and Grace (LaBay) Crompton Waltman.  As a small child, she grew up on the Crompton homestead five miles west of Wetonka. When she was about 8 years old, the family moved two miles north of Wetonka where she attended grade school.  She graduated from Westport High School in 1956, where she was very active in school activities and was an honor roll student.  In the 1990s, she assisted her mother in compiling a family history and recipe book where Dorothy was referred to as “Pa’s Little Helper.” Dorothy always liked to go along with her dad and when she was old enough to drive, she worked in the field with him. She had many fond memories of her life at Wetonka.

Following graduation, she was employed at the McPherson County Extension office in Leola.  On May 30, 1958, she married Gerald Hoffman and they made their home on the Hoffman ranch west of Leola. Gerald and Dorothy raised 3 children while expanding their registered Hereford business that took them to many states and foreign countries.  Most family vacations included a Hereford sale or ranch visit to view cattle and meet and make new friends.  Dorothy was a crucial part of the ranching business with her meticulous bookkeeping skills and involvement in the American Hereford and South Dakota Hereford Associations.  She was also active with the Circle L Cattlewomen group in Leola for many years.   She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and preparing meals for hungry hired hands and special guests.  For fun, she and Gerald could be found square dancing!

 

After the death of her husband in 2004, she took on a supportive role in the ranch management and transitioned the ranch to her son, Colin, and his wife, Mary Beth.  After a few years, she moved to Leola where she became active with the Senior Citizen group and enjoyed entertaining guests and grandchildren. 

 

On October 13, 2012, she married Fred Herman Jr. and together they enjoyed each other’s company while attending church, shopping and social events. Looking forward to “whose birthday is next” and getting together at the farm for “birthday parties” with plenty of cake and ice cream was always a good time. 

 

Dorothy had an unwavering Christian faith that was the cornerstone of her life as she spent many hours daily reading her bible and praying.  She taught Sunday school and 7th grade confirmation for many years at St. James Lutheran in Leola.  She loved to study the bible, take sermon notes and wrote many of her own bible studies.  Her church family, whether at St. James, Praise Family Fellowship, or Freedom Church, was something she held dear to her heart. 

 

Grateful for having shared in her life are her husband, Fred Herman, Jr., Leola;  her children, Jerome (Charlene) Hoffman, Brooklyn Park, MN, Joan (Steve) Crombie, Faribault, MN, Colin (Mary Beth) Hoffman, Leola, SD;  stepchildren, Kim Herman, Lake of the Ozarks, MO, Michelle (Scott) Hinkle, St. Louis, MO, Todd Herman (Susan), Troy, IL; 3 exchange daughters, Cristiane Mello, Sao Palo, Brazil,  Stephany Pons Bessone, Marseille, France, and Dasha Zhagina, Ukraine;  her brother, Leo Crompton, Aberdeen, SD, her sister, Kelli Waltman, Leola, SD;  sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Roehr, Britton, SD, Sue Crompton, Bothall, WA.  Dorothy was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

 

Dorothy was preceded in death by husband, Gerald Hoffman; father L.T. Crompton; mother Grace (LaBay) Crompton Waltman; stepfather, Martin Waltman; parents-in-law, Emil and Elizabeth Hoffman; her brothers, Louis Crompton, Jackie Crompton, Tom Crompton; her sisters, Lucille Goodfellow, Mary Lou Kamm;  brothers-in-law,  George Goodfellow, Marvin Kamm, Richard Pitkin, Dennis Roehr, Elmer Kaul;  sisters-in-law, Marcella Kaul, Norma Crompton, Viola Crompton; grandson, Stefan Hoffman.  

 

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Freedom Church 516 Production Street, Aberdeen, SD.  Visitation begins at Noon at the church followed by funeral at 2:00 pm with Pastor Drew Becker officiating.  The use of masks is respectfully requested, but not required.   Burial will immediately follow at Green Mound Cemetery 1 mile south of Leola. Gramm Funeral Home, Ipswich, SD is in charge of arrangements.  grammfuneralhome.com