George Francis Herda, 73, passed away Monday, April 19, 2004 in Big Lake, Minnesota. Funeral services will be Friday, April 23, 2004 at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5 to 8 PM at Our Lady of the Lake Church and for one hour preceding the mass.
The son of John and Anna (Trnka) Herda, George was born September 18, 1930 in Lonsdale, MN. One of 13 children, he lived in that area until October, 1952 when he then enlisted in the US Navy and began a 26 year career.
George met and married Winifred (Wini) Ann Kienlen while stationed at the Navy training school in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were married on July 12, 1955. George's Naval career took him and his family to Connecticut, New Hampshire, Hawaii, California, Japan, and back to California. He had tours of duty on several submarines, including the commissioning crew of the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear power submarine. The Nautilus shattered all submerged speed and distance records, and completed the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship in August, 1958. Later in his career, George was promoted to warrant officer, and served in Vietnam, the Navy Ship Repair Facility in Yokosuka, Japan, and on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea. He received many commendations, including the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Republic of Korea Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. George retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander on July 1, 1973.
After retiring, George and his family moved to Albany, MN. He returned to school, and earned his Masters degree in Geography from St Cloud State University, where he then served on the teaching staff. George was a member of the American Legion in Albany and served several years on the Albany City Planning Commission, and was an active member of Seven Dolores Parish.
George was currently involved as a board member of the People's Project for Paraguay, a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of the children and families in Paraguay. Recently, he received the Service To Mankind Award presented by the Sertoma Club.
After moving to Big Lake in November, 2002 George & Wini have been actively involved in Our Lady of the Lake Parish in many ministries. George enjoyed travel, camping, gardening, playing the guitar and spending time with his grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Deborah, and his brother Jim. He is survived by a loving family including his wife, son Ben of Eden Prairie, son Vince (& wife Julie) of Minnetonka, daughter Kerstine (& husband Mike Smith) of Sartell, son Paul (& wife Paula) of Buffalo, and son Alex (& wife Lynn) of Maple Grove, and 8 grandchildren.
The son of John and Anna (Trnka) Herda, George was born September 18, 1930 in Lonsdale, MN. One of 13 children, he lived in that area until October, 1952 when he then enlisted in the US Navy and began a 26 year career.
George met and married Winifred (Wini) Ann Kienlen while stationed at the Navy training school in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were married on July 12, 1955. George's Naval career took him and his family to Connecticut, New Hampshire, Hawaii, California, Japan, and back to California. He had tours of duty on several submarines, including the commissioning crew of the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear power submarine. The Nautilus shattered all submerged speed and distance records, and completed the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship in August, 1958. Later in his career, George was promoted to warrant officer, and served in Vietnam, the Navy Ship Repair Facility in Yokosuka, Japan, and on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea. He received many commendations, including the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Republic of Korea Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. George retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander on July 1, 1973.
After retiring, George and his family moved to Albany, MN. He returned to school, and earned his Masters degree in Geography from St Cloud State University, where he then served on the teaching staff. George was a member of the American Legion in Albany and served several years on the Albany City Planning Commission, and was an active member of Seven Dolores Parish.
George was currently involved as a board member of the People's Project for Paraguay, a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of the children and families in Paraguay. Recently, he received the Service To Mankind Award presented by the Sertoma Club.
After moving to Big Lake in November, 2002 George & Wini have been actively involved in Our Lady of the Lake Parish in many ministries. George enjoyed travel, camping, gardening, playing the guitar and spending time with his grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Deborah, and his brother Jim. He is survived by a loving family including his wife, son Ben of Eden Prairie, son Vince (& wife Julie) of Minnetonka, daughter Kerstine (& husband Mike Smith) of Sartell, son Paul (& wife Paula) of Buffalo, and son Alex (& wife Lynn) of Maple Grove, and 8 grandchildren.
George Francis Herda, 73, passed away Monday, April 19, 2004 in Big Lake, Minnesota. Funeral services will be Friday, April 23, 2004 at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5 to 8 PM at Our Lady of the Lake Church and for one hour preceding the mass.
The son of John and Anna (Trnka) Herda, George was born September 18, 1930 in Lonsdale, MN. One of 13 children, he lived in that area until October, 1952 when he then enlisted in the US Navy and began a 26 year career.
George met and married Winifred (Wini) Ann Kienlen while stationed at the Navy training school in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were married on July 12, 1955. George's Naval career took him and his family to Connecticut, New Hampshire, Hawaii, California, Japan, and back to California. He had tours of duty on several submarines, including the commissioning crew of the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear power submarine. The Nautilus shattered all submerged speed and distance records, and completed the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship in August, 1958. Later in his career, George was promoted to warrant officer, and served in Vietnam, the Navy Ship Repair Facility in Yokosuka, Japan, and on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea. He received many commendations, including the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Republic of Korea Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. George retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander on July 1, 1973.
After retiring, George and his family moved to Albany, MN. He returned to school, and earned his Masters degree in Geography from St Cloud State University, where he then served on the teaching staff. George was a member of the American Legion in Albany and served several years on the Albany City Planning Commission, and was an active member of Seven Dolores Parish.
George was currently involved as a board member of the People's Project for Paraguay, a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of the children and families in Paraguay. Recently, he received the Service To Mankind Award presented by the Sertoma Club.
After moving to Big Lake in November, 2002 George & Wini have been actively involved in Our Lady of the Lake Parish in many ministries. George enjoyed travel, camping, gardening, playing the guitar and spending time with his grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Deborah, and his brother Jim. He is survived by a loving family including his wife, son Ben of Eden Prairie, son Vince (& wife Julie) of Minnetonka, daughter Kerstine (& husband Mike Smith) of Sartell, son Paul (& wife Paula) of Buffalo, and son Alex (& wife Lynn) of Maple Grove, and 8 grandchildren.
The son of John and Anna (Trnka) Herda, George was born September 18, 1930 in Lonsdale, MN. One of 13 children, he lived in that area until October, 1952 when he then enlisted in the US Navy and began a 26 year career.
George met and married Winifred (Wini) Ann Kienlen while stationed at the Navy training school in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were married on July 12, 1955. George's Naval career took him and his family to Connecticut, New Hampshire, Hawaii, California, Japan, and back to California. He had tours of duty on several submarines, including the commissioning crew of the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear power submarine. The Nautilus shattered all submerged speed and distance records, and completed the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship in August, 1958. Later in his career, George was promoted to warrant officer, and served in Vietnam, the Navy Ship Repair Facility in Yokosuka, Japan, and on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea. He received many commendations, including the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Republic of Korea Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. George retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander on July 1, 1973.
After retiring, George and his family moved to Albany, MN. He returned to school, and earned his Masters degree in Geography from St Cloud State University, where he then served on the teaching staff. George was a member of the American Legion in Albany and served several years on the Albany City Planning Commission, and was an active member of Seven Dolores Parish.
George was currently involved as a board member of the People's Project for Paraguay, a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of the children and families in Paraguay. Recently, he received the Service To Mankind Award presented by the Sertoma Club.
After moving to Big Lake in November, 2002 George & Wini have been actively involved in Our Lady of the Lake Parish in many ministries. George enjoyed travel, camping, gardening, playing the guitar and spending time with his grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Deborah, and his brother Jim. He is survived by a loving family including his wife, son Ben of Eden Prairie, son Vince (& wife Julie) of Minnetonka, daughter Kerstine (& husband Mike Smith) of Sartell, son Paul (& wife Paula) of Buffalo, and son Alex (& wife Lynn) of Maple Grove, and 8 grandchildren.
Gravesite Details
LCDR US Navy Korea, Vietnam
Family Members
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