Dear Mary and family,

Bishop John called to tell me the sad news.  It was wonderful to spend time with you and Vince in the Holy Land in 2011.  Vince was an unforgetable member of our group.  I feel so fortunate to have spent time with both of you on our trip.

As I read Vince's obituary the circumstances of his passing are so hard to believe.  I can only think of the words, "we know not the time nor the place."  I know Vince had a wonderful and very full life with you, his family and friends and will be terribly missed. 

Please accept my deepest, heartfelt sympathy. 

Most sincerely,

Patty Quinn Hays

Mr. Herring was my 4th grade elementary teacher.  He had a profound impact on my life.

He rose the bar for students and expected more of them.  He taught real world issues, instead of simple memorization.

I think of my teacher often and how he taught me to actually think.

He is an amazing man with a lasting impact on the world.

-Erik Orwoll

Vince was a great example of what a positive influence a coach can have on young people. Vince truly helped to shape my life. We all loved to swim for Vince. I always enjoyed what I was doing on those swim teams and I always felt like we had an excellent shot at beating the best with Vince at the helm.
He was so creative... the achievement ribbons, the bloop,bloop, bloos ( Gary Lundy - "pizza-burger!"), underwater swim around the perimeter of the pool. We were very very fortunate to have Vince as a coach, a family friend, a bit of a maverick, and all-around achiever and helper for others to achieve.

Mike McNamara - member of Fitchburg YMCA Barracudas swim team, 1960 - 1963, Fitchburg, Mass, 1960 - 1963

Dear Mary:  

We are so sadden to have read of Vincent's passing just this morning. 

Being in the photographic business, you've helped us with some frame moulding requests, and advice on framing itself.

From your downtown Rochester store front to the home-framing studio, Herring Framing was a wonderful identity

to me and I am sure, many others. I loved the flags flowing, the Christmas lights and the lite Cross when we would 

drive past your driveway on our adventures to and from on Hwy 61.

Andie loves her Hostas and for the past few years, we've been to the 4-H building to pick out her favorites and 

there you two would be, smiling, helpful and encouraging everyone there.

Words cannot express the feelings of a lost one until one loses a loved one. May the Lord's Blessings be upon you Mary, 

and your family in this time of healing of loosing Vincent.

Peace and Love,

Curt & Andie Sanders

Dear Mary and family, I have just learned of the loss of Vince.  My heart goes out to all of you. Seeing Vince on the drive at MOKA always made my day(and the days of so many!)...we had so many great conversations. You are a wonderful family...my thoughts will be with you.  Joan

Kyle and family,

We are so sorry for your loss.  I can't even imagine what you must be going through right now.  I never met Vince, but Kyle has told me many stories and he sounded like a wonderful man. Please know you are in our thoughts. 

Molly & Nathan

Mary and family,

I was so surprised to read that Vincent passed away.  I just want to extend my deepest sympathy and let you know I wiil be remembering you in my prayers.  It was always  a pleasure to visit your store and seeing the both of you.

Ann Casey

I feel so fortunate to have known Vince.  Thank you for sharing him with me.  I will not forget our great time together on Monday February 11. 

I only met Mr. Herring once, at his daughters wedding in Kansas.  But stories of his fairy correspondence and long distance swimming always impressed me.  I know that he will be missed.  My heart goes out to your whole family. 

Our deepest condolences to your family. You will be in our hearts and in our prayers.

Sam & Maya Burnett

We have been out of town and just checked the newspapers this morning.  We were shocked and saddened reading about Vince's passing.  We have been discussing the good times we had with him in our short time in Lewiston together. He taught Gary how to be frugal and use coupons.  Somehow the friends you have when you are young and starting out on life's paths remain special in your hearts.  Vince was one of those friends.  He was successful at everything he set out to do.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and the rest of the family.  May God help to heal the pain in your hearts by replacing the pain with  the wonderful memories you all have.  

Love to you all

Gary and Marlys Mills  

Vincent, you will be sorely missed.  Rest in Peace.

We have been honored and privileged to know Vince as a dear friend.  His life speaks for itself:   devoted husband and father, community leader, successful businessman, and above all, one who loved the Lord.

He will be greatly missed by us and so many others.  We are sending our deepest sympathy to his wife, Mary, and his family.  But we know that he is with his Heavenly Father.

Blessings,

Frank and Nancy Pum

Mary and family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you as you mourn the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather.  We didn't know Vince well, personally, but knew him as an active, vital man.  He will be missed within the community and within the church community as well.  Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Ginny and John Hanson

Mary and Family

So sorry to hear about Vince.  Our sympathies to you at this difficult time.  We met you on our pilgrimage to Poland and Eastern Europe last November and enjoyed getting to know you a little bit. 

Tom and JoAnn Eichten  Owatonna, MN

Mary and family,

My heart ached for you when I heard about Vince. Know that you are in thought and prayer.Will always have fond memories of travel planning at your home and then the holy pilgrimage we shared to Israel.

Susan Hart

To our dear, dear Herring Family,

Our home will be forever decorated with your attention to detail framed art.   Our children will never forget chasing your goats, climbing your rocks, watcing your fish, driving up your icy driveway, "stealing a flower or two," most importantly your warm inviting, caring, loving welcome everytime we walked in your door.   Mary, Kristen, and family, our prayers and thoughts are with you forever and ever.

Jan & Rocky Daly Family

Dear Mary~

Please know that my heartfelt condulences are there for you & your family.

I was in the Holy Land with both of you & I'm so honored to have met you both & realize what a wonderful & giving couple you are. Vince was a wonderful person & I'm so happy that I was able to know him even for a short time.

Blessings & my God take your hand & be there for you when you need him the most.

Barb

Dear Mary and Family,

I am so saddened by Vince's sudden death.  I can not even imagine how lost you must be.  Life is so short and we never know when God will call us home.  I have been thinking of my last visit with you when Uncle Joe passed away, and the times before when you were finishing the grotto and you and Vince took us on such an interesting tour of your property, and of course all your gorgeous flowers!!  You both are so creative and hard-working, truly an inspiration.

Mary, please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.  Mom and I lit a candle for Vince today after mass. 

I am sending my love and deepest sympathies.

Your Cousin,

Marcia

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.  I had Vince as a swim coach back in the day.  He was an inspiration to many of us.  And will truly be missed!  God Bless you and your family!

I didn't know Mr. Herring on a personal level, but he was such an active and positive member of the Rochester community that I feel I must pass on condolences to his family.

Dearest Mary and Family,

Our prayers are with you during this most difficult time .. my folks were also very sad to have heard that Vince  was taken all to soon from his life.

Where there is sadness, love plants a garden of memories.  I think this will be very true of your gardens.

Our love and sympathy to you all.   Fran Gillich & Agnes Griffin & Family

Dear Mary and family,

My sincerest condolences to you on the loss of Vince. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Anna Oeltjen

Daer Mary and family, so sorry for your loss. Vince always made us feel welcome and we so enjoyed visiting with him and Mary. Our condolence's to you and the family. Sincerely, Larry and Pat Pfiefer

We are very sorry to hear of Vince's passing.    He was a very special man.    I hope to make it to the funeral, but Al is in poor health so not sure if I will be able to make it.   Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Dear Herring Family:

It was so sad to hear of the passing of Vince, what a wonderful gentleman, we loved your gardens.  I swam with Vince for years, he was a natural in the water I think he was half fish.  God Bless All  Ron-many early mournings.

We are so saddened to hear about Vince.  We were customers of yours for years.  You were both always so helpful in assisting us with picking out artwork or having items framed.  We have several pictures from your studio displayed throughout our home.  We will remeber Vince fondly whenever we look at them.  Our deepest condolences on this tragic loss.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.  May your memories help sustain you. 

Dear Mary and family

There are so many wonderful memories I have of Vince.  We had many common interests in particular wood turning and swimming. Most of all I remember Vince in the Rec Center locker room standing next to the coat rack with the special rubber shoes he wore in the winter.  He would be telling about one of his usually humorous experiences.

One day Vince asked where he might do a cold water swim preparing for the English Channel swim. I mentioned  Two Harbors, Burlington Bay where the water would be a cold 46 degrees. Weeks later he along with Coach John swam between Burlington Bay and the ore docks a mile away for several hours. Later that summer when I was in Two Harbors folks confirm there had been been a swimmer in the Bay. I don't know how he did it.

What special memories.  I will forever remember him.

Dear Mrs. Herring, Kyle, and family members,

Your husband and Dad was a Gardener "Extra-Ordinar."  Your beautiful

Creation that he engineered, designed, and shared so willingly truly put

Rochester on the map.  His warm "Welcomes" and willingness to share

was second to none.  His quest for life and the creation of beauty will

long live in the thousands of people he touched.

My sincere sympathy to all of you.

Don Untiedt, Plymouth, MN

Dear Mary and family,

The world lost a good one!  What a loving, creative man. 

I remember meeting Vince and you on a Water Garden Tour and then later for a lunch/ pond tour. Both were such a delight!  The beauty the two of you created made my head spin. The love between you was palpable.  

I can't imagine the loss you must feel.  My heart goes out to you.

Love always,

Joan E. Ackermann 

Oh, it with sadness that I read about dear Vince.  He and Mary touched the lives of many and welcomed many into their home and lives.  He taught us how to live and to laugh.  The world was enriched by his life.  My deepest condolences to the entire family and certainly Mary. I can see him with his arms around her. 

With love, Carol

Mary, so sorry to hear of Vincents passing. Plan on coming to reunion this summer to see my relatives. Our thoughts are with you. God Bless you and your family.

Marilyn ( Feehan) and Jerry Pfeilsticker  

Dear Mary and family,

It is with sadness that I heard of Vince's passing. Ardyce called me Friday evening and said her mother-in-law had called with the news. My mom also called this morning. It's so hard to believe as he was the picture of health and vitality at our gathering last summer. You've built a wonderful life together and I know you will miss him dearly. My sincerest sympathy to you and your children and grandchildren.

Peace be with you,

Jeaneen

Dear Mary and family,

My sincere sympathy on the passing of Vince.  When I visited your home for framing, I was always so pleased at the friendliness and helpfulness you and Vince showed to all who came in.  May you find peace and comfort in loving memories of working together, raising a family together and sharing in family special moments throughout the years.

Blessings to you and your family,

SueAnn (Senjem) Collinge

We are so sorry to hear about Vince. He was such a vibrant person, it's hard to think of him without thinking of how he loved his garden and garden projects. His presence will always be there in the garden. Wish we were in Rochester to pass our condolences on in person. We will be thinking of all of you and keeping you in our prayers.

Barb and Joe Vroman

We are so sorry to hear about Vince. He was such a vibrant person, it's hard to think of him without thinking of how he loved his garden and garden projects. His presence will always be there in the garden. Wish we were in Rochester to pass our condolences on in person. We will be thinking of all of you and keeping you in our prayers.

Barb and Joe Vroman

Vince was an inspiration to me, he was a rock for me in a time of trouble.  He was my lanemate for close to a decade.  Every morning I saw him my heart was lifted a little bit.  I will always admire, and aspire to be like him.  Vince remains an example of a faithfulness and love to me and of the warmth and generosity that can be found in the human soul.  The world and my life are far better for having had him in it.  I am grateful for having known him.

My deepest sympathies and prayers for you at this time.

Always,

Cara Fox

Dear Mary and family,

I am out of the country and just received an email from my friend, Wanda Murphy, about Vince's death.  I am so very sorry that I could not be at the services.  I have fond memories of our pilgrimage together and I will never forget swimming with Vince in the Sea of Galilee!  I know you will miss him dearly and I also know the beauty and depth of your faith will be your guide and your strength. God bless you and keep you during this time of sadness and loss.

Cris Fischer

Mary we are so very sorry to hear of Vince's pessing. We know he is everything to you. We have wonderful memories of him from the enjoyable times we spent with the both of you. Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you at this sad time,

Mary, we were so sorry to read about Vince.  We are in Florida and won't be able to attend his services but know that we are thinking of you.  We are sure that you have many beautiful memories together that will give you and you family some comfort.  Our deepest sympathy,  Mike and Shirley Stender 

Mary and family,

We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our good friend Vince and wish to express our sympathy to his family.  

We truly enjoyed our visits to your amazing showroom and home.  Vince was always so helpful and friendly. The many framings in our home are an ongoing reminder of Vince's dedication to excellence and bring fond memories of a kind and creative friend and family.

                        With our warmest thoughts and affection,

                         Bob, Peggy, Jill and Laura Swenson

My condolences...I only met Vince twice, but really appreciated the tours of his & Mary's gardens and the beautiful Grotto.  Vince was a classy, kind person.  I admired all his accomplishments and down-to-earth, warm spirit.  I consider myself lucky to have met him.  You're all in my prayers. 

--Amy Rinken, Stewartville (Rita Buegler's daughter)

Kyle and the Herring family: We are so saddened by the sudden passing of your dad. We cannot imagine what you must be going through. Please know that you (Kyle) and your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. Although I had never met him; Michi has fond memories of him. He sounded like a kind, gregarious and adventurous spirit.

Much love to you all; and hoping that everyone will get through this difficult time and find some happiness together after grieving.

A flood of wonderful memories has come from Joe this past 24 hrs, since we heard Vince has passed.  Decades ago he climbed the icy hill for the first time in pursuit of a new advertising client.  Actually, he recalls it was Feb.....  Little did he know that a great, long term business, as well as personal, relationship had just begun.  How he loved to visit Vince and Mary, to see and hear the latest of what was happening in that constantly productive and vibrant place!  The goats, chickens, plantings, signage among the plantings, emerging grotto, stories of travel, nature.....and, oh yes, a little business were discussed.  Then there was the wonderful dinner you two gave us.  We were fascinated by the stories of the discipline required to endure the difficult swims.  Especially, of the English Channel 2008.....in Vince's words:  "I was swimming under your boat!" as we cruised, and he swam....nearly the exact day.  

Mary, and family.....please know we, too, are saddend by this loss......and you are all in our hearts, and prayers.  We'll see you tomorrow........

Love,

Joe and Carol Burnham  

Sending healing energies and prayers to Vince's family, especially Mary and Kristen.

We enjoy his humor, spirit, and energy which will endure.  We appreciate the loving warmth he shared as a partner and parent.

While watching a Redtail Hawk pair my backyard tree top, I learned of Vince's passing.  Their messages of visionary power and guardianship Vince could appreciate. 

Carmen Nomann

I willl greatly miss Vince in are almost daily meetings at RAC.....His sense of humor and wit was so enjoyable

Dear Mary,

We are so sorry to hear of Vince's passing.  You both were great friends of ours, and were very important to our business.  We were glad you were able to share years in retirement, but seven is not enough.  Our thoughts are with you in your time of sorrow.

John and Diane Dockerty

My sympathies to you, Mary, on the loss of Vince. I had hoped to come to at least the visitation but I have a wake Sunday night and a prayer service on Monday all at the same time. I know that Vince is with the Lord in the hope of the resurrection. You, Vince and your family are in my prayers. God bless you!

I learned about Vince's passing from our co-Minister in Resurrection Church . First, there was a very real sorrow for the world's loss of a truly good man ; but immediately after, I remembered the exuberant  joy he had for life and its blessings , foremost of which was his Mary , his garden and his faith . MY life was blessed by knowing him and though he will be greatly missed , I know he is with the Lord in heavenly peace and eternal rest . May the Lord grant comfort to his beloved family . 

We are so sad to lose Vince's light in this life, and our prayers are with you.

Vince is such a special and loving spirit.

I feel very much as though only a call home to help his Father could have made him

leave the party and his beautiful family, and especially his best girl.

Light and love to you all.  We will all miss him.

Peggy

We are saddened by the loss our good friend Vince. In the short time that we have known Vince, no one has been more inspirational to us than he was. His words of wisdom have changed our lives. He lived his life to the fullest--he lived by example. He showed his love, understanding, and great frienship to all he came in contact with. We will miss his sense of humor and his love of life. We will always remember him and will always miss him. Thank you Lord for bringing him into our lives when we needed him most. Thank you Mary and family for sharing him with us.

David and Debbie Biren

Vince was married to my niece, Mary.  WE have loved being in his life to share many good times together.

We had such fun on cruises & last summer together going to Mary`s brothers.

I shared ten days with Mary & Vince in Sept. Memories were made each time being together.

We will miss you dear Vince.  Sending our love & deepest sympathy to your dear family.

Aunt Gloria & Uncle Wendell

Kristen and family, I am so very sorry to hear the news of your fathers passing.  May you treasure all those fond memories of your father and may God hold you all in the palm of his hand!

I am so sorry and sad about the loss of Vince.  He was very special to me and I considered him a great friend and one of the best people I have known.  We shared many laughs and stories together in the swimming pool. My day was always better whenever I had a few moments talking with Vince.  He inspired me with his dedication to swimming and his willingness to share his knowledge and sports wisdom with everyone.  His zest for life and ability to make everyone around him feel a little better, smile a little more and enjoy each others company is something that I will always cherish about Vince.  I feel very fortunate that I had an opportunity to know him for the past many years and I will always hold special my memories of our time together in and around the swimming pool.  I know that he is always going to be next to me when I am swimming and I always have a smile whenever I think of him.  I am really, really going to miss him.  God Bless Vince and rest in peace!

Your family is in my prayers.  I have known Vince through our relationship at the RAC.  I always enjoyed seeing him and enjoyed talking with him when time permitted.  Two of my favorite memories being a part of the RAC have been touring the gardens at his home.  Not only were the flowers impressive, what made a lasting impact is the thought behind the plan, design and meaning of all of it.  I was awestruck.  Vince you were an inspiration to me, and I will miss seeing you at the RAC.  I know you have great faith and are with God.  I will pray for comfort for those you have touched and left behind.