Leo James Herdina

Leo's favorite saying was "This is really living!"  He lived it and is now living it!  Leo's life journey concluded on April 26, 2017 with his entering Heaven, his final destination.  Leo loved the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  He loved his wonderful wife Avis of 63 years, his children Stephen, Joseph (Kim), Michael (Bev Moore), Deborah and Mary (Mike Ausdal), grandchildren Emily (Jihoi) Koo, Alison Herdina, Alex Herdina and Hansel Ausdal, step-grandchildren Luke Niedringhaus and Nicole Niedringhaus, and his great grandson Jisung Koo.

Leo also loved his friends, the sun, Mustangs, play, travel and to drive.  Leo visited almost all of the states in the US plus over a dozen trips to other countries, including serving in the Korean War.  Leo worked for 40 years at Black Hills Milk Producers in Rapid City, SD, retiring as the General Manger in 1997.  He enjoyed working with the milk producers, haulers, processing staff, and all involved in the dairy industry.  In his retirement, he continued to drive by delivering new RVs to dealers.  Leo was a great accountant and logged each delivery.  He delivered 291 units and drove over 700,000 miles.

Leo James Herdina was born in Sioux Falls, SD on January 17, 1933 to Fred and Lillian (Johnson) Herdina and grew up in Humboldt, SD.  Leo is survived by his wife Avis (Schartz) Herdina, children Joseph, Michael, Deborah and Mary and their families, sisters Marion Rhoads and Elaine (Wayne) Tamblyn, brothers-in- law Leo (Guriene) Schartz, Joseph Schartz, sister-in-law Katherine Schartz, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Leo was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Loren and Martin, son Stephen, sisters-in-law Greta (Schartz) Stone, Mildred (Schartz) Sandgren and Donnabelle Schartz, brothers-in-law Edward Schartz, James Schartz, Archie Rhoads, Archie Sandgren, and Wallace Stone.

Visitation will be on Friday, April 28, from 5:00-7:00 pm followed by a Christian Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church.

Christian Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Rapid City, SD. Burial will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City following the Funeral Mass and reception.

Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, South Dakota Chapter.