Shirley Janet Herman

Shirley Janet Herman, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, April 22, 2026 in an Emmett, Idaho, hospital.

Shirley was born March 6, 1936, in Emmett to Joseph A. Cornwall and Nellie Slate Cornwall Olson. She grew up in a small home on Star Lane in Emmett with several brothers and one sister. She moved to Payette in 1946 and later lived in Twin Falls. 

In 1952, Shirley met the love of her life, Daniel Andrew Herman of Payette, on a supposed “fishing trip” to Twin Falls. Dan wore out a brand-new Chevy while courting Shirley, driving 200 miles every other weekend to win her heart. They married on April 24, 1954, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Payette.

Dan, a carpenter, built their home on Baker Lane just north of Payette, where he and Shirley raised their four daughters and one son.

Shirley was a devoted wife to Dan. To help with family finances, she worked at a local apple packing shed, babysat, and helped at the Shanghai Café and the Plaza Inn in Ontario, Oregon.

Later, as the health of Dan and her son, Michael, declined, she became their caregiver, lovingly taking care of their needs. After Dan passed away on March 1, 2009, Shirley continued to care for Michael until he died on March 14, 2011. Through the remainder of her life, she missed them very much and looked forward to someday reuniting with them and Jesus in Heaven.

Shirley continued to live in her beloved Baker Lane home until she was no longer physically able to maintain the property. In November 2021, she moved into a senior-living apartment in Emmett, next to her daughter, Teresa, where Shirley continued to reside until her passing. 

Shirley deeply loved her family. She enjoyed being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was known for her blunt honesty, but it always came from a place of love for her friends and family. She loved sharing candy and ice cream bars with her grandchildren. She also frequently spoke with her family about her faith in God.

While we will miss you, we know that you are now happy being with Dan and Michael. What a joyous reunion!

Shirley was also preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: Keith, Ernest, Robert, Ray, and Jerry Cornwall, and her sister, Roberta Cornwall Smith.

Shirley is survived by four daughters: Teresa Eckman of Emmett, Gail Baskett of Payette, Debra (John) Sattgast of Shelton, Washington, and Jackie (Jerry) Spivey of Ontario, Oregon. Also, her grandchildren: Thomas Shoemaker, Jerry Eckman, Sean Baskett, Julie Sattgast, David Sattgast, Jason Sattgast, Kyle Flagg, and Dannett Flagg; and her great-grandchildren: Liam Baskett, Zoe Baskett, Ethan Shoemaker, Ava Shoemaker, and Hunter Eckman.

Graveside services for Shirley J. Herman will be held on Saturday, May16, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Rosedale Memorial Gardens, 10350 Iowa Ave., Payette, under the direction of Potter Funeral Chapel, Emmett.

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