On July 6, 1925, Gladys was born in her grandparents home near Corinth, ND to Otto and Mabel (Lerbakken) Vicha. She attended Liberty grade school and graduated from Alamo High School. In 1944, she earned a teaching certificate from Minot State College and taught at several area country schools. While teaching at Dore, ND she met her future husband Elmer Herdt, they married November 29, 1946 and farmed in the Fairview area for the next 50 years.
Their marriage was blessed with three children, Jerry Herdt, Rhonda (James) Hunter, and Vickie (Mark) Wagner. Upon retiring, they moved to Williston, ND and she resided there until the passing of Elmer in 2012. Gladys was living in Billings, until God called her on June 4, 2018. Gladys was passionate about church and family. She enjoyed watching every Christmas program, basketball game, and musical event that her granddaughters and great-grandchildren participated in. If there was a birthday, wedding, anniversary, or reunion, you could count on Gladys and Elmer being there. She belonged to Rebekahs and ladies circles at Zion Lutheran church. She had many hobbies collecting coins, stamps, spoons, and loved watching baseball on TV. She was an excellent cook, collected recipes, and loved having family for holidays.
Gladys is preceded in death by her husband Elmer Herdt; son Jerry Herdt; parents Otto and Mabel Vicha; sister Vivian Thorson; and brothers Glenn and Arthur Vicha. She is survived by her daughters Rhonda and Vickie; nine granddaughters Jeri Lynn (Jon) DeVries, Stephanie (Shane) Johnston, Sandra Herdt, Jennifer Herdt, Michele (Andy) Butler, Colette (David) Flores, Gail Hunter, Kayla (Josh) Squires, and Kara (Daniel) Strecker; ten great-grandsons and five great-granddaughters; two sisters, Alice Swenson and Cheryl Forhart; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gladys passed away on June 4, 2018 in Billings, MT.

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