Jessica Lynn Herman (Beier), 53, of KCMO, passed away peacefully at KC Hospice House on Thursday, August 3. Jessica was born March 5, 1964, in Grand Forks, ND. She was the loving daughter of Raymond Leroy Herman, who preceded her in death, and Lola Rae (Tangen) Herman. She is survived by her husband, David Beier, her mother; her loving daughters Mary Thompson and Elizabeth Van Erem (Dustin); grandchildren Ava, Ian and Zoe; sisters Erin Herman, Chrisan Theobald (Joe), and their children Rachel and Zach; brother Jim Herman (SuAnn) and their children Abbie and Christian.

Growing up in Minnesota, Jessie was a natural athlete, participating in multiple school sports including tennis, volleyball and softball. She particularly excelled in gymnastics representing her high school in Sherburn, MN. at the state competition. Her second passion as a youth was animals, and she was active in her 4H Club showing horses at regional fairs. To Jessie, life wasn’t complete without her kitty cats!

Born to teach, Jessica received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota and completed her Masters degree in Education at KU. She was a forerunner in the recent push to get students, particularly girls, interested in a career in Science, teaching high school at St. Teresa’s Academy for 17 years. Under her leadership as Science Chair even Physics was mastered!

Jessie continued to share her love of Science and learning by joining the sales team at CPO Science/ Frey Scientific where her specialty was teaching teachers to use more modernized methods of instruction. She was so good at this that she was National Salesperson of the Year in 2015, four years after having been diagnosed with breast cancer!

However, Jessica’s first priority was always family entertaining with a” Minnesota nice” smile that lit up a room and a creative approach to cooking! Ava always joined in with ‘the baking of the pies for Thanksgiving. This past year, Zoe even joined in with the fun. Christmas was not complete until duets had been played on the piano with her talented Mother and daughters. In all areas of her life she put others first taking the time to make each of her grandchildren their own personal quilt. One of her joys with them was the crafts that were always available…often with a little science involved!

She and David led extremely busy lives, both separately and together. She kept this organized with a constant supply of sticky-note reminders…another use of her organized and brilliant mind!

Jessica spent her last days with family and friends receiving excellent care at the KC Hospice (12000 Wornall Rd.) Her life as a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend evidenced by the love surrounding her at the end.

A house was not a home without a welcoming candle burning and it made their home a very soothing place to be. Let’s light a candle in memory of our sweet Jessica!

In lieu of flowers, Jessica suggested a donation to Wayside Waifs or Kansas Ciy Hospice House. Love always.