Agatha Victoria (Widhalm) Herding, age, 93, passed away on March 4, 2026, at St. Gerard’s Community of Care in Hankinson, ND, where she lived during her final years.
Agatha was born on May 26, 1932, in rural Lindsay, NE, to Helen (Slizoske) and Lawrence Widhalm. She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lindsay. In 1943, she moved with her family to Wahpeton, ND, and graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1950.
She married Paul A. German at St. John’s Catholic Church in Wahpeton on January 20, 1954. They were blessed with three children and lived and farmed near Hankinson and Wahpeton. Paul passed away on April 29, 1961. After his passing, Agatha moved to Hankinson with their three children.
She married Philip A. Herding at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Hankinson on November 23, 1964. They were blessed with two children and farmed near Hankinson in Greendale Township. In 1990, they retired from farming and moved into Hankinson. Philip passed away on November 21,2023.
Agatha took great pride in seeing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren succeed. She served her church and community by helping at various functions at Hankinson Public School and St. Philips Catholic Church and by volunteering as a 4-H leader, religious education (CCD) teacher, and librarian at the Hankinson Public Library.
She was a member of St. Philip’s Catholic Church, St. Philip’s Tabernacle Guild, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Agatha enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, weaving on her loom and making greeting cards. Family and friends were often gifted with homemade items, including foods (most notably her famous pickles) afghans, dishcloths, potholders, decorations, quilts, dishtowels, rugs and greeting cards.
Agatha is survived by her children: Teresa German Belanus (Jim), Walhalla, ND; Thomas German (Julie), Pelican Rapids, MN; Anthony German (Sun), Chantilly, VA; Dan Herding (Melanie), Hankinson ND; Tamara Herding Ternes (Steven), West Fargo, ND; and special nephew, Russ Widhalm, Tea, SD wo was raised with the family.
She is also survived by her grandchildren: LeeAnn Belanus Gage (Tracy), Allison Belanus Skari, Suzanne Belanus, Alissa German McLellan (Duncan), Paul German (Alexandra), Laura German Nguyen (Andrew), Dalton Herding (Jessica), Taylor Herding Tietjen (Matthew), Devon Herding, Cole Ternes (Mishka Thacker), Bethany Ternes Schill (Michael), Blake Ternes, and Vanessa Ternes.
Her great-grandchildren are Maci Gage, Finley Gage, Keaton Skari, Elin Skari, Axel White, Thomas McLellan, Sarah McLellan, Luke McLellan, Theodore German, Elisabeth German, Leyla Nguyen, Celine Nguyen, Rosealynn Schill and Iris Herding.
Agatha is also survived by her siblings: Robert Widhalm, Parowan, UT; Ivan Widhalm, Ellendale, ND; and Darlene Widhalm Draeger (Alwayne), Fergus Falls, MN.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul German; her second husband, Philip Herding; her parents, Helen and Lawrence Widhalm; brothers Philip Widhalm, Raymond Widhalm, and Dale Widhalm; sister Ruth Widhalm; and a grandchild, Grant German, along with many in-laws, relatives, and friends.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 8, 2026 from noon to 2:00 p.m. followed by the funeral mass at 2:00 p.m. at St. Francis Convent Chapel, Hankinson, ND. Burial will be in the spring at Calvary Cemetery, Hankinson.
Online guestbook: www.frankfamilyfuneralhome.com
