Zelda Herman was born on September 17, 1928 in Osceola, Texas to Earl and Rhema Irene (Young) Smith.  After high school Zelda continued her education and earned an associate's degree in bookkeeping.

In March of 1953, Zelda was a bookkeeper at Bosworth Motors when she met Max L. Herman Jr. while eating at a diner.  On July 12, 1953, they were married in San Angelo, Texas.  They enjoyed a life of many travels, going wherever Max's next job site took him.  They would live in many states and several different countries.  In 1979, they settled in Texas.

Zelda was a loving mom to four daughters, who are forever grateful to have her as their mother.  She loved being with all her family.  Zelda loved her sons-in-law as if they were her own children. She especially enjoyed baking, doing puzzles, reading, watching cartoons and playing games with the grandchildren.

Everyone who met Zelda loved her. She had a great sense of humor, and she was always there to listen and help friends and family. She will be forever missed.

Zelda departed this life Friday, October 21, 2022 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky at the age of 94 years.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Irene Smith; her brother, Wendell Smith; her husband, Max L Herman Jr. and grandsons, Mason Willcox and Max Praytor.

Zelda leaves behind four daughters:  Julie Praytor and husband Tommy Praytor, Lisa Seestedt and husband Richard Seestedt, Kimberly Lemm and husband David Lemm and Dawn Willcox and husband Stephen Willcox. Her surviving grandchildren and their families include:  Hayley Abram, husband Mike Abram and their dog Lucy, Thomas Praytor, wife Madison Praytor and their children Elizabeth, Hugh and Beau, Lily Seestedt, Jacob Smith, wife Victoria Smith and their children Myles and Landon, Travis Lemm, Emily Howard, husband Josh Howard and their children Ellie and Mason, Katelynn Willcox and Hunter Willcox, as well as other extended family and friends.

The funeral service honoring Mrs. Herman's life will be at 11 am Friday, October 28, 2022 in Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Mrs. Herman will be interred with her husband, Max Leslie Herman Jr.

Viewing will be Thursday from 5 pm until 7 pm at Mallett Funeral Home in Wagoner, Oklahoma.