Obituary of Severin Andrew Herum

Services will be held on Friday in Santa Cruz for Severin Herum who passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Auburn, California. Born in Randall, Minnesota to Andrew Severin Herum and Ida Wentzel Herum, he was raised there, graduating from High School in Little Falls, Minnesota. Severin moved to California in the late 1940's. He lived in Santa Cruz most of his life, and moved to Auburn to be near his daughter this past year. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 ½ years, Janice Youngman Herum in 2012, and his daughter-in-law, Leslie Johnston Herum in January of 2014. First working as a farmer in Minnesota, upon moving to California, began a career with San Jose Steel Company. In Santa Cruz, Mr. Herum was employed first with Kelly's Auto Parts and later Birdseye Frozen Foods. For more than 30 years, he worked for Santa Cruz Mattress Company, retiring as an estimator. He cherished the many friendships he had made through the years at the mattress company, and took pride in his work there. Severin was a long time member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Santa Cruz, and the Bible Study group. He was very accomplished at growing beautiful roses, dahlias, ranunculus, and orchids. His talents at gardening dated back to WW II, when as a young man, his service orders were to "stay and run the farm." He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Jane Herum; his son, Andrew "Butch" Herum; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Joe Vitales; grandson, Andrew (Ashley) Herum; grandson, Jason (Kristin Aquilino)Herum; granddaughters, Jeanette Herum, and Stephanie Vitales; and grandsons, Severin Herum, and Steven Vitales. Mr. Herum also leaves five great grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Friday, February 21, 2014 at Messiah Lutheran Church 801 High Street, in Santa Cruz, beginning at 11 a.m. A private entombment and committal ceremony will take place prior to the service, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Janice. You may light a candle and share your prayers and thoughts with the family by visiting www.pacificgardenschapel.com. Any kind acts of charity may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association, or to your favorite charity.