Judith Rae Herda

Judith Herda

Judith Rae Herda (“Judy”), a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and sister, passed away peacefully with family on September 3, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 90. Judy’s life was one of kindness, compassion, family, and service to others; she lived every day with quiet strength and grace, inspiring all who knew her.

Born on August 15, 1935, and raised in Towner, North Dakota, Judy was the daughter of Vivian Dorothy (Hardie) VanCamp and Graham Orland VanCamp. From a young age, she worked on her aunt’s farm (on horseback) and in her family’s movie theater, later graduating from Towner High School as Valedictorian in 1953. She spoke often and fondly about her involvement in the community including part of The Pioneer Daughters of Towner and the local 4-H. She went on to earn her certification in Radiology in Minneapolis.

On July 30, 1955, Judy married the love of her life, Florian Herda. Together, they built a family rooted in faith, love, and service. After beginning their life together in Fargo, North Dakota, they moved to Spokane Valley, Washington in 1962, where Judy became a dedicated member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church. She served as a Eucharistic Minister, catechism teacher, and tireless volunteer, always the first to raise her hand when anyone asked for help.

Judy’s devotion extended beyond her family to her community. She volunteered generously with the Spokane AIDS Network, Feed Spokane, Catholic Charities, hospice care, and numerous other organizations and individuals. She served as Director of Meals on Wheels, faithfully upholding her belief that all people deserve nourishment and dignity. For nearly two decades, she dedicated herself to work as a Nanny, offering care and guidance to children and relationships that extended to the end of her life. Her service further encompassed people of diversity, immigration assistance, sponsorship, and steadfast support for those in need, often visiting individuals in the hospital, nursing home, or at their home – expressions of her deeply held conviction that compassion and kindness are due to everyone. In recognition of their shared commitment, she and her husband were honored as “Family of the Year” by the Knights of Columbus.

Judy had a gift for nurturing—whether through her service, her faith, or her kitchen. She was a consummate mother not only to her six sons, but to anyone who needed comfort, connection, or care. She always found time to make homemade bread, pasta, casseroles, and was famous for pickles, jams, pies, cakes, cookies, and candies. She delighted in gathering family around the table and never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or milestone. Beyond the kitchen, she was an avid reader, a dedicated letter-writer, and a constant presence in the lives of her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Florian (2020); her parents; siblings Joan, Milo, and Terry; brothers-in-law Ted and Joe Herda, Ed Cleasby, Bill Wagar, Ward Whitehead, and Charles Kelly; sisters-in-law Adeline Cleasby, Ann Marie Herda, Rita Herda, and Elaine Herda; daughter-in-law DeDe Wilkinson; and grandson Wenceslas.

She is survived by her sister Edith Wagar; her children Timothy, Jeffery (Tracey Taylor), Gregory (Rhea Devera), Jeremy, David (Valerie), and Daniel (Stephen Mellander); grandchildren Jonathan (Jessie) Herda, Bryce F. Herda, Tabitha Herda, Keefer (Shanae Irving) Herda, Cecilia (Chris) Dickinson, Socorro Herda, Guadalupe (Paul Garcia) Herda, and Maggie (Bill) Cox; and great-grandchildren Lesley, Kenya, Miriam, Liam, Nathan, Jeremiah, Bryce D., Mia, Noah, Tyler, and Nikkolas. She is also remembered with love by her sisters-in-laws Bernice “Bea” (Vladimir) Rukavina and Lois Kelly, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives she enriched.

A memorial Mass and inurnment will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Spokane Valley on Friday October 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM followed by a small luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Spokane Aids Network, Feed Spokane, or National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, organizations that reflect Judy’s lifelong devotion to service.

Her family takes comfort in these words she lived by:

“Love is patient; love is charitable. Love is not envious; it does not have an inflated opinion of itself; it is not filled with its own importance. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”