Obituary: Marcella Amshoff Herde, 87, Louisville
Marcella Amshoff Herde, 87, of Louisville, died peacefully at home Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, under the special care of Hosparus and her daughter, Carolyn Cook. She was born in 1929 in Louisville. She attended Our Mother of Sorrows Elementary School, Holy Rosary High School and Nazareth College (now Spalding University). She was married to Joe Herde in 1950 and lived for more than 60 years in the Buechel area as founding members of the Willmar Neighborhood Association.
They had eight amazing children, 20 equally amazing grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren (with two on the way), encouraging them in all things educational, musical and community-minded . She was a longtime singer with the Holy Name Choral Club, and a lifetime supporter of the Holy Name Band of Louisville. She was a talented and thrifty homemaker who enjoyed playing bridge with friends and tolerated playing pinochle with family on a weekly basis.
MARCELLA AMSHOFF HERDE
As an active member of the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, she served as troop leader of Brownie Troop 51 and Cadette Troop 508, Service Unit Manager and day camp director, Brownie leader trainer, delegate to the National Convention, member of the Board of Directors, and founder of the Festival of the Arts which is the largest GS Art event in the country. She was honored with the Thanks Badge I and II, the highest National awards given to adults for service to Girl Scouting.
She and her husband were founding members of St. Pius X Catholic Church where she was a dedicated member of the Resurrection Choir and knitting group that regularly sends hats and mittens for needy children, special tiny hats for premature babies and “Knitted Knockers” for breast cancer survivors. She taught knitting and crochet classes for the JCPS Adult Education and was nationally recognized for the Christmas ornaments she created annually for her family.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Joseph J. Herde Jr.; her parents, Marcella and William Elmore Amshoff; one sister, Theresa Ilari; and one brother, Anthony Amshoff.
Survivors include her children, Maggie Hettinger (Frank) of Lebanon Junction, Carolyn Cook, Jay Herde, Bill Herde (Sinman) of San Diego, Calif., Paul Herde (Donna), David Herde (Cindy), Carmel Bowman (Matt) and Theresa Hundley (John), both of Bardstown; 20 grandchildren, Beth Peña (Juan), Amy Pascucci (Dan), Laura Hettinger, Natalie Hettinger-Priddy (Christina), Joseph Cook (Erin), Andrew Manual, Christine Herde, Jonny Herde, Angela Arnold (Cade), Stephen Herde, Michael Herde, Vicki Knoer (James), Christopher Herde, Sarah Herde, Nathan Bowman (Kate), Will Bowman, Hannah Bowman, Thorin Bowman, Patrick Hundley, and Michelle Hundley; and three great-grandchildren, Alex Peña, Benjamin Peña, Elena Pascucci.
The funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, at St. John Paul II Goldsmith Lane Campus with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road, with a 4 p.m. remembrance ceremony.
Memorial contributions may be made to Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana (Joyce Seymour Leadership Fund), or the Holy Name Band of Louisville.
Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road, is in charge of arrangements.
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