Janet Kathryn Herber

North Dakota native and long time California central coast resident Jan Herber passed away in Grover Beach, CA on 10/27/23. She was born Janet Kathryn Bateman on September 12, 1937 in Devils Lake, ND to Edwin and Grace (Nickeson) Bateman. She and her older sister Judy lived with their parents on the family farm in Clyde and attended country schools in snowy rural Northern ND. At Clyde High school, Jan played six-on-six basketball, was a cheerleader, sang in the choir, and was the valedictorian of her graduating class of 1955. Jan entered Mayville State Teachers College, where she met her future husband, David Herber. They were married at her parent’s home on 08/11/58 and graduated from college in 1960. Jan balanced her early teaching career with motherhood; daughter Kimberley was born in 1959 and son Michael in 1962. That summer, the young family left the prairie and drove to California where teaching positions awaited in Lompoc, CA. Jan taught at several Lompoc elementary schools and in 1966 completed her Library Science Credential at San Jose State University. In 1970, she received her Masters in Education from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, She was head librarian, first at Lompoc Junior High School and then Lompoc Senior High School. She treasured books and stories and enjoyed making the library a welcoming place for all students. She retired in 1993 after nearly 35 years in education. Jan left the Valley of the Flowers in 2013 and moved to a condo in Arroyo Grande, near her son and his family. She still kept in touch with her Lompoc friends, many of whom she knew since her days at Mayviille State. Jan loved to travel, loved music and dancing, loved animals especially cats, and loved gardening and being outside. She never lost her love for basketball. She was overjoyed when grandchildren started arriving and loved spending time with all of them over the years. She was especially proud of her two great granddaughters. Janet Kathryn Bateman Herber is survived by her daughter Kim Herber and her husband Thom Ditty and grandchildren Sam and Hannah Ditty of Seattle; her son Mike Herber and wife Linda of Grover Beach; granddaughter Ashley (Miguel) Flores and great granddaughters Aurora and Colibri Flores of Sacramento; and granddaughter Caitlin (Kody) King of San Luis Obispo. The family plans on having a private service in 2024 in North Dakota. The family wishes to thank the staff at Casa Del Mar for their excellent care in the last few months of Jan’s life. Marshall- Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel is handling final arrangements. If you wish to leave a tribute to Jan, please consider making a donation to a local animal rescue charity.

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