Devitt, Sherman 8/22/1924 - 5/5/2024 Our beloved Dad passed away peacefully at the age of 99. Sherm was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to George and Gert Devitt. As first born, he internalized the values of hard work and family responsibility at an early age. His father got him a paper route and made sure Sherm was on his bike before dawn delivering the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He graduated St. Paul Central High School in 1942 and, at the direction of his father, enlisted in the US Army at age 17 and trained for the Signal Corps. The hope was that the war would be over before he finished his training. Instead, he landed on Normandy Beach on D-Day Plus Six, then marched to Cherbourg. Following discharge from the Army, Sherm enrolled at the University of Minnesota to study accounting. He was president of Mu Beta Chi, a professional accounting fraternity. After graduation in 1949, he joined Wolkoff-Effress Accountants as an Associate. Sherm passed the CPA exam on his first try in 1952, going on to become a firm partner (1949-1961). Then, with his brother-in-law, Stan Barenbaum, and his brother, Eddie, they joined and expanded the Sussel Company from building garages to building housing developments (1961-1974). After the family sold Sussel to Lampert Lumber, Sherm started the real estate development company Lanvesco with Stan Taube (1975-1984), converting high quality apartment buildings into condominiums. He continued to develop housing and commercial real estate with partners, Ben Steinberg and Robert Levine (1985-recent). At the U of M, from his seat at Walter Library, he spotted a cute, petite coed sitting where all the Jewish girls hung out. After finding out she was Loie Gilbert, President of STD sorority, he immediately went to the check-out desk, introduced himself, and asked Loie for a date. This proved Sherm's lifelong maxim, "If you don't ask, you don't get." Together, Loie and Sherm raised three children - Nancy, Gary and Jay - supporting each of our interests, and instilling a strong sense of integrity, loyalty, fairness, perseverance and compassion that shaped each of us to what we've become today. Our parents modeled strong moral values and a lifelong commitment to our Jewish community locally and in Israel. Sherm was a long-time member of Temple of Aaron and Temple Israel. His best family times were skiing at Vail (up to age 85!), golfing at Hillcrest, Oakridge and Boca Raton Country Clubs, and cheering the Vikings and Twins as a season ticket holder. He cared for his beloved Loie at home in her early stages of Alzheimers, and had lunch with her every day when admission to memory care became necessary. Our family thanks the wonderful staff of Brookdale Edina for the care of both Loie and Sherm. We also will be forever grateful to caregiver Senait Berhane, and to Gary for his devotion and caregiving expertise. The most important part of Sherm's life was his children and extended family. Our patriarch is survived by his children, Nancy (Rick Chase), Gary (Susan Burgstahler), and James (aka Jay); grandchildren, Joel (Melissa), Jamey (Kelsey), Alayna, Alesha, Dana, and Natalie; great- grandchildren, Micah and Adalyn; sister, Bettie Barenbaum; and nieces and nephews, Sally Barenbaum, Jane Barenbaum Watkins (Hackey Choi), Steve (Anne) and Bob Devitt. Sherm is preceded in death by his wife, Lois Gilbert Devitt, and his brother, Edward Devitt. Sherm brought out the goodness in all of us. At his 98th birthday party, he urged us, "Be thankful for your good fortune." We truly are. As our Jewish tradition teaches us, may Sherm's memory be a blessing. A Memorial Celebration will be held on TUESDAY, May 28th at 11:00 am at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Avenue South, Minneapolis, also available via Zoom at: hodroffs.com/…. Memorials in Sherm's memory can be made to the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism: 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158-3650 or adl.org/ Hodroff-Epstein 612-871-1234 hodroffepstein.com