CORETTA "CORKY" HERWIG

Coretta “Corky” Marie Herwig, of Mora, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Eastwood Senior Living in Mora. She was 78 years old.

Coretta was born on June 5th, 1947 as the third of four children born to Maynard “Bud” and Alvina McKernan. She grew up alongside her siblings, sharing a close and cherished friendship with her sister Cheryl. The two girls were inseparable - sharing secrets, laughter, and the simple joys of growing up side by side. Their childhood stories and moments became some of her most treasured memories. 

Shortly after graduating from Osseo High School she married Paul Lee, and together they had 3 beautiful girls; Angela, Jennifer, and Jessica. While raising her girls, she made a living being a governess (nanny) for numerous families and being a hairstylist after graduating cosmetology school in 1985. As a single mother, Corky raised her girls to be her best friends, and the four of them had endless inside jokes and stories that she loved to share with anyone and everyone. 

While she was known to the world as Corky, for half of her life she was known as “Magi” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As the daycare provider for her grandchildren as they grew up, Magi gifted them childhood memories filled with good times, Bible studies, funny songs and sayings, and unconditional love. No matter how old they became, her house was their home away from home–-a place they could stop by at any time for a laugh, advice, a treat, a prayer, to reminisce about favorite memories, or to receive pieces of wisdom, all of which were always accompanied by her welcoming presence and a seat at her kitchen table. The name Magi was given to her by her family, but truthfully she became “Magi” to so many more and was lovingly known as that name by family friends and countless others.

Corky had many hobbies that she loved to fill her time with. Among her favorites were gardening, painting, spending time with her daughters and their families, baking cookies or treats, and being a caretaker for anyone who needed it. In recent years, she enjoyed being a medical courier and loved to visit with the different staff at the various medical facilities and bring them some of her famous scones.

Of all the titles she carried in her lifetime, being a born-again Christian was the one you learned about whether you knew her for 10 years or 10 minutes. Corky was so proud to live her life for Jesus Christ and her family finds comfort in knowing she is walking those streets paved with gold and enjoying every moment being completely healed.    

Corky is preceded in death by her parents Maynard and Alvina (Jacobson) McKernan; first husband Paul Lee; second husband Larry Herwig; and sister Pat McKernan.

She is survived by her daughters, Angie (Christopher) Nelson, Jennifer (Lee) Vreeland, Jessie (Jim) Gutzwiller; her “Great 8” grandchildren, Aaron (Joy) Nordstrom, Jacob (Jessica) Nordstrom, Ross (Leah) Vreeland, Tyler (Precious) Vreeland, Lauren Vreeland, Rachel Vreeland, Nick (Jose) Bazaldua, Baily (Ridge) Randall, Kristi (Reggie) Gutzwiller; great grandchildren, Michael, Bentley, Carter, Nevaeh, Faith, Gracelynn, Gabby, Crosby, Lincoln, and Ava; sister Cheryl (Tony) Poole; brother Jerry (Lynn) McKernan; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Hamilton Funeral Homes – Akkerman Chapel in Mora.

Memorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

A luncheon will immediately follow the service.

Inurnment will follow the luncheon at the Fish Lake Lutheran Cemetery near Mora.

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