Ann W. Hershman

Ann W. Hershman,84, of Fort Atkinson passed away at home on Sat. Sept 3 after a 17 year battle with Parkinsons disease with family at her bedside.

Ann was born on Dec. 7, 1926 in Indianapolis, IN to Robert and Floss Witherspoon of Greenwood, IN. She attended school in Greenwood until her junior year in high school. She then attended Indianapolis Tech High school graduating in 1944.

She attended Indiana University Bloomington from 1944 until 1949 when she graduated with a B.A degree in Home Economics/Merchandising. She lived in the womens quad and occasionally worked in the dining hall that served the four dorms. While working there she met John Hershman of Rensselaer, IN. They were married on Aug. 28, 1949. They continued their education at I. U. until early 1950 when John graduated.

In March 1950 they made their home in Kokomo, IN where John was employed. They lived in Kokomo for seven years during which time Ann was active in the First Christian church and AAUW. During that time Ann gave birth to three children Nancy, David and Teresa. In Aug. 1957 they moved to Fort Atkinson where John took a position with the The Creamery Package Mfg. Co. They joined the First Congregational Church and Ann became active in the Christian Education department and became the Director of Christian Education in 1960 & 1961. She was also active in AAUW, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Square Dancing. In 1966 she welcomed her fourth child - Timothy. She continued her activities which included working part time in Jerry Newlins gift shop.

Ann was an avid camper and loved to travel. She and John made many trips to foreign countries including a trip to the Holy Land in 1983 with the Rev. Bob Alward and his wife, Edith, the former minister of the First Congregation Church in Fort Atkinson.
After retiring they continued their traveling in their Winnebago covering most of the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico, including a trip to Alaska. During this time she developed Parkinsons disease that gradually took its toll.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Bud and daughter Teresa. She is survived by husband, John (they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary a week ago), daughter Nancy (Mike) Onufer of Jacksonville, FL, sons David (Cynthia) Hershman and Tim (Darci) Hershman of Fort Atkinson, and eight grand children, A.J. (Alexandra) Edmiston of Brooklyn, NY, Ben Edmiston of Brooklyn, NY, Rebecca (Jon) Newcomb of Austin, TX, 2nd Lt. Gretchen Hershman of Fairview Heights, IL, Jackie Hershman of Savannah, GA, and Tristan, Kayci and Natalie Hershman of Ft. Atkinson.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Fort Home Health Care, Country Nurses, Rainbow Hospice and the many friends and relatives that assisted caring for Ann over the past years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 8 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. Chris Buckingham-Taylor officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Dunlap Memorial Home and from 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the church until time of service. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

The family recommends that any memorials be sent to the Rainbow Hospice, 147 W. Rockwell St., Jefferson, WI 53549, The Wisconsin Parkinson Assoc., 945 N. 12th St. Suite 4602, Milwaukee, WI 53233 or the charity of your choice.

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