Elsie Marie Herbster, 84, passed away at 4 p.m. Sept. 5, 2016, at her home in Warsaw surrounded by her family. She was born July 1, 1932, in North Liberty, to Delbert Earl and Martha Evelyn Ruff Rowe. On June 27, 1954, at Pine Creek Church of the Brethren in North Liberty, she married Robert “Bob” Herbster, who survives. They were married 62 years. The couple resided in Lakeville until moving to Warsaw in 1987. She was employed with Union-North United School Corp. for 28 years. She was a longtime attendee of Grace Fellowship Church, Bremen. Music was a very large part of her life. She began playing piano and organ for church services, weddings and funerals at 13 years of age. At age 71, she learned to play the harp, fulfilling a lifelong dream. She instilled the value and love of music within each of her children and grandchildren, with the hope that it would glorify the Lord. Also surviving are their four children: Barbara ( and spouse James) Blechl, Granger; Sue (and spouse Dan) Craig and Greg (and spouse Kim) Herbster, all of Warsaw; and Steve (and spouse Tammy) Herbster, Middlebury; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren: David (and spouse Jenny) Blechl; Katie (and spouse Jeremy) Miller and their children, Elliott, Olivia and Emmarie; Laura Craig; Anna Craig; Carrie (and spouse Bill) Clark and their children, William, Ella and Mason; Stephanie (and spouse Eric) Stults and their children, Madeline, Luke and Hallie Sue; Jessica (and spouse Nathan) Stemm and their children, Mia, Jack and Dallas; Emily (and spouse Ross) Hougland and their son, Clayton; and Adam Herbster; a sister: Ruth Schafer, Salt Lake City, Utah; a brother, Wayne Rowe, Elkhart; two sisters-in-law, Rosemary Hamby, Spokane, Wash., and Norma Rowe, Elkhart; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Snyder; and three brothers, Glen, Carl and David Rowe. A celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at Nappanee Missionary Church, 70417 Ind. 19, Nappanee, with The Rev. Jon Hueni, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Bremen, officiating. Friends may visit with the Herbster family after the service in the church. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, South Bend, is assisting with funeral arrangements. ***** Memorials to Grace Fellowship Church, 535 S. Birkey Street, Bremen, IN 46506; or to Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, 1515 Provident Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
