Tanya Lea Herder-Davis, age 47 of Walnut Grove formerly of Spring Valley, passed away Friday, April 17, 2020 at her home with her family by her side following a courageous 8-month battle with stage 4 endometrial cancer. Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2020 at St. Olaf Cemetery in Ann Township with Radio Frequency Transmission in your vehicles/ Facebook Live Feed at Stephens Funeral Service Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Tanya Lea Herder-Davis was born May 30, 1972 to David and Nancy (Bakken) Herder in Litchfield, Minnesota.  She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley.  Tanya graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1990.  She continued her education at Riverland Community College in Austin, where she completed the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant program.  On August 14, 1999, Tanya married Travis Davis of Ostrander at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley.  After receiving her degree, Tanya spent 16 years working with (and loving) her elderly patients at several nursing homes in southwest Minnesota.  She started providing foster care in 2013, offering a safe and loving home for a handful of children.  In October 2016, Tanya pursued her dream of opening a daycare center, Tanya’s Tumblers, in Walnut Grove.  She absolutely loved her “littles,” as she would call the children in her care.  Tanya was especially thrilled when her granddaughter, Lillian became a client! Tanya was the proud mother of two sons, Jarett Herder and Jerome Davis, and she adored her granddaughter Lillian above anything else.  She loved her “littles”, remodeling the daycare house and going on cruises with her family.  To pass the time Tanya enjoyed camping, bonfires and shopping for her favorite LuLaRoe leggings.  She always made time to keep in touch with her Facebook and Diva Dots friends.  Tanya loved spending time with her loved ones, was the queen of selfies, and referred to herself as the “cool” aunt.

Tanya is survived by her husband Travis; parents David & Nancy Herder of Walnut Grove; children: Jarett (Amy) Herder and Jerome Davis both of Walnut Grove; grandchild Lillian Grace Herder; sisters: Tami (Paul) Vesey of Lakefield and Teri (Jim) Herder-Blahnik of Mankato; parents-in-law Brian & Pam Davis of Spring Valley; sister-in-law Kelly (Adam) Pyfferoen; brother-in-law Todd Davis; nieces and nephews: Ryan, Meghan, Tori & Lucas Vesey, Matthew Webber, Marshall & Mason Garbe, Andrew Blahnik, Adyson & Owen Pyfferoen, and Carson & Brooklyn Davis; great niece: Luna Garbe; fur babies: Teddy, Bailey, and Snowflake; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and her daycare children & families. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Vernen & Fern Herder and Harry & Marge Bakken, cousin Derek Bakken, grandparents-in-law Clifford & Jean Davis and Marlys Zwart, and uncles-in-law Doug Ferguson and Jim Hovde.

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