Hertha Else Wolf Rogers, devoted wife and mother, passed peacefully on March 5, 2015, while residing at Riverside Convalescent Center in Saluda, Virginia. Born in Kobe, Japan in 1929, she was the only daughter of Hermann Ernst Oskar Wolf and Shioko Kashima Wolf. She attended both the British Windsor House School and the Kobe German School, where she graduated in 1944.
In 1947, while working as an interpreter and clerk for the American Occupation Forces in Japan, Hertha met and married Lieutenant William Raleigh Rogers. Upon arrival to the United States, Hertha and Bill resided in Charlotte County for 55 years. She became a naturalized citizen in 1954. In 2003, Hertha moved to Midlothian, Virginia to be near her children. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, as well as her daughter- in-law, Debra Davis Rogers and son-in-law, Don Sheridan Francisco.
Hertha was a long time member of Village Presbyterian Church, Briery Presbyterian Church, and more recently, Bon Air Presbyterian Church in Midlothian. She served her church in many capacities, including Elder positions at both Briery and Bon Air Presbyterian Churches. After a long career in human resources and administration, she retired in 1997 from Kyanite Mining Company in Dillwyn, Virginia. Hertha enjoyed gardening, reading, knitting, tennis and playing bridge. She also liked to travel, and after retiring enjoyed a trip to Hamburg, Germany, where her father was born.
Hertha is survived by her five children, including Hertha Ann Robert Nye of Waterford, CT; Emily Louise William Douglas Strader of Durham, NC; Thomas Raleigh Rogers of Richmond; Mary Rogers Francisco of Deltaville; and Ernest Wolf Wanda Rogers of Midlothian. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Tara Leigh Christopher Stanford of Raleigh; David Stanton Strader of Durham; Jansen Shea Rogers and Alexis Shay Rogers, both of Midlothian. She leaves two great-grandchildren: Delaney Maryn Stanford and Colin Nathaniel Stanford of Raleigh, NC.
A memorial service for Hertha will be held at Briery Presbyterian Church in Keysville on Friday, March 13th at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, a reception celebrating her life will be held at Sheldon’s Restaurant. A private burial will take place in Charlotte Court House at the family cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Briery Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 629, Keysville, Virginia 23947.
Arrangements are being handled by Bristow- Faulkner Funeral Home in Saluda and Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA.
