Penny J. Herda, age 51, resident of rural Lawton, ND, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2009 at her home with her family by her side, after fighting a hard battle with cancer.

Penny Jo Myhre was born January 26, 1958 in New Rockford, ND, the daughter of Osborne and Sylvia (Flowers) Myhre. She was raised on her parents farm near New Rockford and attended Sheyenne High School , graduating in 1976. She then attended Lake Region Junior College in Devils Lake , ND . Penny married James A Herda Jr. on October 23, 1993 . They lived and worked together on the Herda family farm near Lawton . Penny had been a 911 dispatcher at the Law Enforcement Center in Devils Lake , and was currently the secretary at the Nelson County Pig Cooperative near Lakota.

Penny will be deeply missed by her husband, Jim Herda Jr.; her 4 children, Josh, Tyler, Megan, and Brianna; her granddaughter, Eva Rose; her mother, Sylvia Myhre of New Rockford; and her special friend, Lulu.

She was preceded in death by her father, Osborne Myhre.

Penny's Funeral Service will be held at the Lakota Lutheran Church of Lakota, ND, on Friday, June 12, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Joel Westby. The organist will be Karen Fowler and the soloist will be Sharon Olson. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery , New Rockford, ND. The casketbearers will be the staff of the Nelson County Pig Co-op, and the honorary casketbearers will be ND Pig Co-op members and ND Sow Co-op members. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Thursday, June 11, 2009 beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, beginning at 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.