Joseph A. Herda,“Joe” age 91 of Winsted passed away on Friday, February 17, 2012. Joe was born in Lonsdale, Minnesota on March 18, 1920 to John W. and Anna K. (Trnka) Herda. Joe was preceded in death by his wife Anna Stephanie (Mussche) Herda; children Deborah Ann Herda, Margaret Rose Goepfert, Steven James Herda, Joseph John Herda; as well as his siblings Sr. Debora Herda, OSB, Helen Burzek, John Herda, Wenseslaus “Jim” Herda, and George Herda.

He is survived by his children David (Joyce) Herda, Mary (Steve) Mattson, Constance (Jeff) Sterner, James Herda and fiancé Kerry Schmiessing, Teresa Hutto, Daniel (Jamie) Herda, 18 grandchildren: Joseph Herda, Angie Baugaus, Jeffrey Herda, Jarod Herda, Emily Herda, Scott Herda, Jeffrey Herda, Michael Herda, Thomas Herda, Daniel Herda, Andrew Herda, Chun Daiker, Eric Goepfert, Jamie Fors, Samantha Sterner, Sonja Watson, William Taylor and Holly Herda; many great grandchildren; siblings Sister Jonathan Herda OSB, Marie Kajer, Ludmilla Jacobs, Elizabeth Suel, Marcella Catalino, Teresa Gucker, Bob Herda and many nieces and nephews.

Joseph attended Lonsdale Elementary and Middle Schools through the 8th grade; when he left school to help his parents work the farm. At the age of 65, Joe earned his GED and graduated with the graduating class of Holdingford High School. Joseph entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 22, one month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. As an airplane mechanic, he reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was a Squadron Leader. Joe served his country in the Navy for 36 ½ years; 4 years active duty and 32 ½ years in the reserves, and was honorably discharged at retirement. Joe married Ann Mussche on May 18, 1946. He had also worked as a drayman, natural gas delivery and repairman, plumber, hardware store owner, salesman for a plumbing, heating and well supply company and as a salesman for Earth Sheltered Technologies. Joe and Ann lived in Lonsdale, Waverly and Albany Minnesota, Robertsdale, Alabama and eventually Winsted, Minnesota. After retirement, he and Ann traveled for 16 years in their 5th wheel camper throughout the Southeast.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Church of St. Mary in Waverly, Minnesota. Rev. Kenneth O’Hotto celebrated the Mass with interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Waverly, Minnesota. Military Honors were provided by the Waverly American Legion Post #305.