Herman D. Weist
January 6, 1936 – August 28, 2024
Herman D. Weist, 88, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. He was surrounded by family. Herman was born on January 6, 1936, in Omaha, the oldest of five sons of Herman P. and Dorothy (Boucher) Weist.
First and foremost, Herman lived his Catholic faith throughout his entire life. He was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Omaha and grew up in a devout Catholic household. He attended St. Joseph’s for grade school and graduated from Creighton Prep in 1953. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1957 (the first in his family line to receive a college degree) and was in ROTC. It was at Iowa State that he began his spiritual devotion of attending first Friday mass, a devotion he continued for over 70 years up until his final illness.
Herman attended Creighton University for additional accounting courses and went on to obtain his CPA license. He went to work for Begley, Herbert & Graham, CPAs, and then accepted a position with Haskins & Sells for five years. He owned and operated his own firm with various partners until his retirement in 2006. During those years, he served as President of the Nebraska Society of CPAs. Even post-retirement, he continued to prepare tax returns for many priests throughout the Archdiocese as a gift of his service to them. His volunteer work over the years has been appreciated and acknowledged by the many organizations he served.
Herman first met Ellen Shanahan, the love of his life, in December of 1957 at Creighton. On September 12, 1959, Herman and Ellen were married at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Omaha. Ellen has been his devoted partner for life. They raised eight children. Together, Herman and Ellen served in countless ways their parishes – St. Thomas More, St. Pius X, and subsequently St. Leo the Great – where they were parishioners from St. Leo’s founding. In part because his life had been so positively influenced by the gift of education that his own parents sacrificed to provide for him, he was passionate throughout his life about the necessity of quality education and providing access to Catholic education for those who lacked sufficient means. He was particularly devoted in supporting the mission of education at the schools his children attended: St. Pius X/St. Leo, Marian High School, and Creighton Prep.
A gifted athlete himself, he begrudgingly began attending his kids’ soccer games in the mid-1970s, only to find for himself a passion for the game. Previously unknowledgeable about soccer, he began coaching his children at St. Pius X/St. Leo in the late 1970s, and then studied the game until achieving his coaching licenses. He helped promote the sport throughout Omaha and in 2021 was admitted into the Nebraska Soccer Hall of Fame. This was an example of his character of seeking to learn until becoming expert in each matter (finance, bridge, and golf are other examples where this trait could be seen).
In late July, Herman was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He felt the love and prayers of his family and friends during his final weeks. He was spiritually prepared by receiving the sacraments up until the time of his death.
Herman loved LaCasa’s pizza, beer, and cherry pie ala mode; cheering on Creighton Bluejay basketball, soccer, and Husker football; Herman loved Saturday lunches with his mom, being Ellen’s bridge partner, and golfing with friends and family; he enjoyed reading the newspaper (Omaha World-Herald, Barron’s and Wall Street Journal), books of historical non-fiction, and writing the occasional opinion piece in the Public Pulse. He loved driving his grandkids in the boat on the lake (especially making them fly off the tubes), family reunions and printing out articles to share if there was a topic he thought would interest you. Herman had a mischievous side and was happy when his kids reached the age where he was allowed to share some of the stories of his youth; He started our annual family golf tournament in 1995 and won the 18-hole tournament as recently as 5 years ago when he shot his age. What began with 14 people has grown to 39 (so far). He even chipped in off the green this year in the family scramble in July. Herman loved his family and was a proud husband, dad, and grandpa.
Herman was preceded in death by his parents, Herman P. and Dorothy Weist; brother, Robert. Herman is survived by his wife, Ellen; and their eight children: Herman (Lisa Miller) (Kansas City, MO), Dave (Lynn), Joe (Meg) (Tampa, FL), Patty Ervin (Dan), John (Zena) (Overland Park, KS), Anne Kalkowski (John), Dan, and Beth Zeigler (Jeremy); 17 grandchildren: Sam, Nick, Josh, Logan, Michaela, Sam, Paul, Eli, Landon, Olivia, Max, Avi, Lucy, Maire, Jason, Cece, and Nate; brothers: Jack (Wayzata, MN), Jim (Jane) (Thornton, CO), and Tom (Nancy Black) (Minneapolis, MN); many nieces and nephews.
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VIGIL SERVICE: Friday, September 6, 2024, at 7:00PM at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 1920 N. 102nd Street, with VISITATION from 4:00-7:00PM.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 10:00AM at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church.
INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Institute for Priestly Formation or to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church.
To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
7 Comments
In God’s Hands
There are very few people in life who are gamechangers. Herman was one of them. I miss my dear friend and mentor. Blessing to the Weist clan.
Dear Ellen and the family, It has been a wonderful experience to know Herman over the years. More recently, when he moved down the street into our neighborhood, I would see him faithfully come to First Friday Mass at 6:45 am at Saint Vincent de Paul Church, no matter what the weather was! When I visited with both of you a few weeks ago at your home, I was touched by how Herman and you were able to face what was happening with your strong faith. May God bless your family. Blessings and Peace, Fr, Dan Kampschneider
Dave, Lynn, Paul, Jason, and families. We were saddened to learn of your heartbreaking loss. We join you in mourning Herm’s passing, even as we celebrate his welcoming eternal rest. He was an amazing and inspiring family man, professional and servant for–and with –others. His love and example shines on in each you and for this, we are most greatful. In deepest sympathy, Virginia, Paul, Jack and Nicolas McGill
Dear Weist family,
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Herman. A Christian gentleman! What an example his life was to all of you. Our deepest condolences. You are in our prayers.
My condolences to the entire Weist family. Mr. Weist has a strong presence in my memory as a patient, studious soccer coach during my formative years at St. Pius. We were all learning the game together and he always came to practice with a very small sheet of paper and a pencil to map out plays for us to learn. He had a lasting impact on me and I appreciated him more than he probably knew.
It is sad to think of this world without my cousin Herman. He was the senior cousin on my father’s side, and I always felt he included me in those he watched after … just as he did with all his family members.
Mike and I were blessed through the years for the opportunity to spend many engaging visits with Herm and Ellen, despite living in different regions of the country.
Herm will continue to guide us all in spirit and inspiration. We mourn with his immediate family, and join in the celebration of his exceptional life.
When I think of him I smile and feel the warmth.
Michael and I send out love to all who are grieving.
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