Yvonne I. Herda

Yvonne I. Herda, 66 of Devils Lake formerly of Stanton, ND passed away early Saturday morning, June 1, 2019 at CHI St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital with loving family at her side. 

Yvonne Irene, daughter of Harold and Irene (Grosz) Unterseher was born on December 29, 1952 in Hazen, North Dakota.  She grew up in Stanton, ND graduating from Stanton High School with the class of 1970.  She always had a love of music and played trombone in the band. As a member of the Stanton Lutheran Church she played the piano and sang in the choir.  She then attended Minot State Teacher’s College. 

Yvonne enlisted in the United States Army on September 21, 1971, serving her country during the Vietnam era.  She was honorably discharged from active duty on September 20, 1974.  Eventually, Yvonne made her lifelong career serving in the North Dakota Army National Guard in Bismarck for 36 years in various positions.  She retired in 2012 from Camp Grafton with the rank of Master Sergeant. 

Yvonne moved to Devils Lake in 1987 and worked with Lake Region Child Support and the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce.  Yvonne was united in marriage to Alvin Herda on December 21, 1996 in Minot, ND. They called Lakewood home through their years together.  

Yvonne was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Faith and Care Ministry, served on the council, was a past president of the congregation, member of St. Olaf choir, and always helped in many other activities and projects of the church.  Yvonne served as the secretary of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States for many years. She was also a proud member of the American Legion for 44 years. 

Yvonne loved the outdoors; working in her garden, tending flower beds, grooming the lawn, and other yard work.  One of their greats loves was to travel. In the last 2 years they traveled to Scandinavia and Europe. She loved to hunt and fish, but her most treasured moments were spent with her family at get-togethers, holidays, and many other special occasions. 

Yvonne proudly and faithfully served her country, her Lord and Savior, and was a devoted and loving wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and dear friend to many.  She will be greatly missed. 

Yvonne’s loving family include her husband Al; son Brandon Herda and his wife Nicole of Spring, TX; grandchildren Sophie and Ben Herda; nephews and nieces Walt Staigle, Deland, FL, Charmayne (Randy) Leinius, Center, ND, Patty (Blake) Wilkens, Hannover, ND, Darcy (Allen) Rainey, Orlando, FL, Bob (Evanda) Staigle, Verrado, AZ, Lisa (Joe) Vetsch and Christy Werner all of Devils Lake; sister-in-law Ellen (Mike) Connor also of Devils Lake; many beloved great nieces and great nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law Marlene and Martin Staigle, brother Darold Unterseher, great nephew Adam Wilkens and in-laws Ethel and Alvin Herda Sr.  

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday, June 4th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.  

Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND on Thursday, June 6th at 12:00 noon with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team-Army National Guard.

Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, Patty Cote and Jean Aardahl. A Special Tribute by Colonel Edward Johnson.