James J. Herda, 88, Minot, died Thursday, April 05, 2012, in a Minot nursing home.

James was born November 29, 1923 in Lankin, ND to Albert and Mary (MacDonald) Herda. He was raised and educated in Lankin graduating from high school in 1941.

James enlisted into the US Army on November 19, 1942, honorably served during WW II fighting at the Battle of the Bulge until his discharge on March 15, 1946. Following his service James attended Florida State University and completed his education at Illinois Benedictine University, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry. He moved to Tintah, MN where he was a teacher until moving to California to work for McDonnell Douglas in logistics.

James was united in marriage to Priscilla 'Joyce' David on February 17, 1962 in Newhall, CA.. They moved to Flint, MI where he served as a dairy inspector. He went back to school at North Dakota State University to satisfy the teacher's certificate curriculum for ND. He taught school in the communities of Drayton, Esmond, for seven years, and Balfour, ND.

James gained employment at Job Service of North Dakota in Minot, where he worked as a Veteran's Representative for over 23 years until his retirement in 1994.

He was a member of the American Legion and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all of Minot.

He enjoyed bowling, gardening, singing, music and was a talented writer of poetry. James attended Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Minot. He will be deeply missed by all who shared in his life.

His loving family includes loving wife, Joyce, Minot; children, Catherine (Harry) Moses, Las Vegas, NV, F. Alan (Pam) Schrader, Minot, ND, and Debra (Emmett) Hoffner, Clarissa, MN; 14 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings, Marian Anderson, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Betty Ulberg, Plymouth, MN, Rosalie Wissbrod, Renton, WA, and Joan Babinski, Careywood, ID, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

James was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Frances Vasicek and Trudy Cicha and brothers, Pete, Edward, Matthew and Albert Herda.

Graveside service: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Monday, April 9, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot, ND.
Memorials are preferred to Our Redeemer's Christian School, Minot.