Anne W Herb

Madison - Anne W. Herb, age 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at Oakwood Village West. Anne was born in Madison on December 16, 1921, the daughter of Robert C. and Maude (Miller) Williamson. When Anne was eight years old the family moved to Gainesville, Florida. Anne returned to Madison as a University of Wisconsin freshman and majored in home economics. She obtained Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. In 1945 Anne married Raymond G. Herb, a UW physics professor. By 1962 the family included five children, two canoes, and an Airedale. The Herbs lived in a house on two acres on Gammon road, which was then a rural area. Sunday hikes and picnics, Wisconsin River canoe trips, and road trips in the station wagon loaded with camping gear, kids, and the dog were the norm. In the early 70e••s after Raye••s move from the UW to National Electrostatics Corporation in Middleton, Anne and Ray bought land near Mazomanie and built a home backed up to a wooded bluff overlooking a cornfield. Keeping track of birds, wild turkeys, deer, and other wildlife became part of the daily routine. Family gatherings were readily accommodated here, one of these being Anne and Raye••s 50th wedding anniversary in 1995. After Raye••s death in 1996 Anne moved back to Madison, and then in 2002 to an apartment at Oakwood Village West. Around this time she traveled to New Zealand, as well as Alaska, Montana, and Hawaii. Anne had a cheerful, sensible nature and tremendous patience. She had many friends and was quick to appreciate humor as long as it wasne••t at the expense of others. Anne was active in the League of Women Voters, served on the Wisconsin Heights School Board, and was a generous supporter of conservation and human rights causes and the arts. Anne is survived by her brother, Robert M. Williamson and his wife Sandra; three daughters, Rebecca Herb and her husband Henry King, Sara Donahoe and her husband Robert Donahoe, and Emily Herb and her husband Dalyn Grap; two sons, Stephen Herb and his wife Brigitte Heimes, and William Herb; and granddaughter Emily King. The family wishes to thank the staff at Covenant Oaks and Hebron Oaks for their efforts and compassion in caring for Anne. The family especially thanks Annee••s physician, Dr. Stowe-Carpenter, and Annee••s special caregiver Kolleen Bakkum for their expertise, caring, and support. A memorial service will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Oakwood Foundation, or an organization of the donore••s choice.