Barbara J. Murman

Barbara J. (Herndon) Murman was born at home on April 28, 1932, in Grand Island, Nebraska, and died on August 20, 2026, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Even though her death was sudden, she exited this life and entered Heaven as she would want with her mind and spirit strong. In 2023 Barbara moved to Oxbow Living Center in Ashland, Nebraska, with her husband, Elmer Murman, who preceded her in death in 2025. While there, she continued to enjoy many of the things she had enjoyed her whole life with the benefit of being closer to family.

Barbara received a teaching certificate from Kearney State Teachers College and taught second grade in North Platte, Nebraska. After her marriage, she joined Elmer in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and taught preschool on the base. Since married women were not allowed to teach in many schools at that time, her nurturing and teaching gifts were spent on her own children. In later years she taught preschool part-time at the Hastings YWCA between 1961 and 1987.

Besides being a homemaker and a support to her husband's education career, Barbara was active in her own interests during her many years in Hastings. She was an avid reader and loved to travel. Planning her next adventure gave her joy. She was a member of the Fortnightly Study Book Club, a past president and volunteer of the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, a golden girl member of Chapter GK PEO, and a volunteer with the WELCA group at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Whether it was walking the track, a morning swim class at the YMCA or a game of mahjong, Barbara enjoyed her time with friends.

She is survived by her three children, Suzanne Krebs (Terry), Michael Murman (Lynn), and Daniel Murman (Julie). In addition, she was blessed with nine grandchildren, Sarah Krebs Adams, Julia Krebs (deceased), David Krebs, Rebecca Krebs Butler, Johnathan Murman, Timothy Murman, Craig Murman, Jordan Murman, and Dillon Murman; ten great-grandchildren, Ben, Tim and Eric Adams, Henry, Lily and Ava Krebs, Claire, Austin, Maeve, and Lou Murman. She is also survived by Rena Murman, Eldon Harms, Beverly Herndon, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in Hastings at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church on September 26 at 11:00 am. The family requests memorials go to First St. Paul's Lutheran Church or the Murman Teacher Improvement Endowed Fund at Hastings Community Foundation (800 W. 3rd St. Suite 232, Hastings, NE 68901) The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Barbara’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page.