Hermine McLeran

HERMINE E. MCLERAN

Coralville

Hermine E. McLeran, 82, longtime resident of this area, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She was a treasured mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt and amazing friend to so very many people. She was the most proud of her eight grandchildren, who were simply the light of her life.

Hermine Edith Broomhilda Weinert was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., the daughter of Berthold O. and Hedwig R. (Metzger) Weinert. Her parents came from Germany before Hermine was born. Hermine was schooled in Ann Arbor, then attended the University of Michigan, where she received her degree in dental hygiene and later her master's degree in public health. After graduate school she spent one year traveling in Europe. Hermine spent time in California as a public health educator and dental hygiene instructor at the community college and university levels.

In 1974, Hermine and her two young sons made their way to the University of Iowa, where she was an assistant professor in the department of dental hygiene, and just this past summer still was volunteering her time as an instructor.

In 1980, Hermine, fueled by her endless passion for helping the elderly, founded the Aging Studies Program at the University of Iowa, and worked tirelessly for 17 years to help the aging community all over the country. She was so proud of her work, with others, in establishing the Pathways Adult Day Health Center, a labor of love she continued to support the rest of her life.

On July 15, 1979, Hermine married Dr. James H. McLeran. She and Jim were known to entertain with some frequency. She was the consummate hostess! She has opened up her home to more people than anyone can ever begin to imagine for a party, an overnight, a luncheon or just a conversation. Many in town have enjoyed one of her favorite hors d'oeuves, Hanky Panky.

She was a very active member of Congregational United Church of Christ. She enjoyed golf, gardening and spending time in Arizona, but most of all, she loved being Mom and Grandma to her family.

To find a more generous soul and servant mentality would be tough. If there was anything she could do to help someone else, the answer always was "of course." She lived a life of giving freely, expecting nothing in return.

She loved her family with an unbelievable devotion and was most certainly her greatest accomplishment. As one of her hobbies she would happily tell anyone who would listen all about them.

Hermine leaves behind three sons and their wives, John and Jennifer Hayden of Blairstown, Chuck and Wendi Hayden of Iowa City and Steve and Laura McLeran of North Liberty; eight grandchildren, Lucas McLeran, Sam McLeran, Reese Hayden, Quinn Hayden, Taylor Hayden, Carter Hayden, Ella Hayden and Kaleb Hayden; and a brother-in-law, Jim Schellenberger. Hermine's life story wouldn't be complete without mention of her very special companion, Sam Combs of Surprise, Ariz. Sam kept Hermine in line and vice versa. He loved and cared for Hermine and all of her grandchildren as if they were his own. Their relationship was a joy to witness.

Hermine was a member of multiple professional organizations. On regional and national levels she was awarded many honors over the years, including Outstanding Service Award by the Iowa Dental Association, Geriatric Dental Health Care Award by the ADA, Outstanding Service to Mid-America Congress on Aging Award, Exemplary Service Award by the U.S Public Health Service, Outstanding Dental Hygiene Alumni Award by the University of Michigan and American Association of Public Health Dentistry Special Merit Award. From 1988 to 1994, she held various offices and eventually was president of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. During that same time she also held numerous offices and became president of the Mid-America Congress on Aging. Hermine also published extensively during her career in geriatrics and special dentistry journals, contributing or authoring more than 30 publications.

We will all struggle to move forward without this amazing person in our life, but the Lord had other plans. We all rejoice in her new found glory as she is now helping out with the huge church rummage sale in heaven and at peace with her Savior. "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness." Matthew 25:23.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; and her sister, Margaret Schellenberger.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa City (30 N. Clinton St.), with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for the streets near the church.) A reception will follow the burial from 1 to 3 p.m. at Blackstone in Iowa City (503 Westbury Dr.). Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.

In lieu of flowers. memorial donations may be made in her memory to either the Dr. James H. McLeran Faculty Award c/o U of I Foundation, Congregational United Church of Christ or Pathways Adult Day Health Center.

To share your own thought, memory or condolence with her family, please go to the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.