Obituary of Mary B. Herbstreit

Mary Bernadette “Bernie” Kieffer Gorman Herbstreit passed away peacefully March 25, 2024 just six weeks prior to her 98th birthday.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Mary was the oldest of six children born to Joseph F. Kieffer and Matilda Schafer Kieffer, both deceased. Mary was also preceded in death by her husband Eugene F. Herbstreit Sr. who died in 1992 and siblings Joseph (Grace) F. “Bud” Kieffer Jr., Patricia (Ralph) Kieffer Hostetter, Vincent (Helen) C. Kieffer, and Kathleen M. (Thomas Jr.) Kieffer Abshier and one great grandchild, Robert R. Holland Jr.

Mary is survived by her sister Marian (Edmund) Kieffer Wadell of California, three children Daniel A. (Vera) Gorman, Donna J. (Jack) Gorman Bush, and Deborah A. (Wallace) Gorman Miller, eight grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

A graduate of St. Mary’s high school class of 1944, Mary, known by close friends and family as “Bernie,” loved to be active and often sought adventure. Some of her adventures included traveling the country in an RV with her beloved husband Gene after they retired to Florida. Cruising the open seas, playing slot machines at the casino, ballroom dancing, riding in a hot air balloon and ziplining for her 86th birthday. She was a talented quilter and seamstress with a closet full of beautiful handmade clothes and was a member of a quilters club and received a blue ribbon for one of her quilts.  Her perfectionism paid dividends in these pursuits; she never hesitated to rip out a stitch if it didn’t meet her standards. Mary loved spending time with family and playing games, especially Yahtzee. She loved music and dancing and pursued both professionally, working as a dance instructor as a young adult and later as an organist while raising her three children. Mary’s sense of fun and adventure, pursuit of good health, and fierce independence led to a long and fulfilling life filled with treasured memories. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Services will be held at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Speedway IN on April 4, 2024 at 11 a.m. with visitation from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Hospital for Children.

Online condolences may be offered at Stevens Mortuary.