Jane Sherman-Fraser
October 11, 1935 – September 23, 2026

Jane Fraser passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Hospital September 23, 2026, at the age of 90. She had been a lifetime resident of Arcata, California.

Jane survived by her stepson, Wayne Fraser, resident of England, and many cousins and close friends.

She grew up in the Arcata Bottoms at her parents’ home near Canal School, where she attended grammar school. (She liked to talk about how her dad would wake her up before school to help milk the cows by hand.) She then attended Arcata High School, where she graduated in 1952.

After attending Humboldt State College for two years, she was asked to work at the Resisters Office, where she worked for 10 years. After this job, Jane worked at McKinleyville and Arcata High School districts as secretary to the superintendent until her retirement in 1991.

Jane and her husband, Herb, purchased their Arcata farm in 1958, where they raised Black Angus cattle, horses, peacocks and dogs. After retiring, they continued the farming they both enjoyed. Through Arcata High School’s agricultural program, they hired many students, who learned to care for and feed the cattle, and perform other ranch work. Jane enjoyed getting to know the students and stayed in touch with most of them over the years. She stayed active for many years with the Humboldt County Farm Bureau as well as The Humboldt Area Scholarship Foundation.

Living in Humboldt County for all her 90 years, Jane liked to talk about the many changes and the history of our area. Names were important to her. In meeting new people, she wanted to know their name so she might be able to connect them to others she knew.

Once they retired, her husband started purchasing and restoring Model A’s and soon joined the Model A Club. Jane was not going to get involved in the club at first, but not long after she became secretary, organizing and planning activities, and loved it! Jane also enjoyed playing the piano at the Swiss Hall for their dances and festivals.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Fraser; her parents, Hugo and Connie Sherman; her sister, Ann Barton; her brother, John Sherman.

Thank to Doctor Moy and Doctor Glatt, for their excellent care; her many good friends; Bonnie Souza, who made calls and checked on her daily for the last eight years after her husband passed away; and other long-time rancher friends who have stood by and helped with the animals and repairs. A special thank you to “Humboldt House Lodge” for their care and kindness to Jane, where she spent the last month.

There will be a celebration of life at a future date.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jane Sherman-Fraser’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.