LaDonna Jean Herber, “The Cowgirl”

LaDonna Jean Herber, age 68, left to be with the Lord October 2, 2021 peacefully in her home surrounded by loving family. She was born September 22, 1953 in Bakersfield, CA to James and Imogene Cross. She married her soulmate, Les Herber in January 1998.

LaDonna leaves us much too soon, but her love and her legacy will live on for generations to come. She was a beautiful wife, momma, granny, sister, radio personality, ranch hand, seamstress, singer, cook and an animal lover.

She found her home in Woodward in 1985, and quickly assimilated into a community that she dearly loved and that love was reciprocated by her many friends and fans. She entertained listeners as a radio personality, “The Cowgirl,” every weekday morning for 30 years during the morning show “Three’s Country.” She was the most awarded radio host in this market and voted “Best of the Best On-Air Radio Personality” for eighteen years. As a sales manager for five radio stations in the Woodward area, her clients trusted her to work in their best interest. She served on the Woodward Main Street Board, along with the Plains Indian and Pioneer Museum in Woodward. She was a community volunteer, a hospice volunteer, she organized and produced the Spirit Country Showdown music contest to showcase local talent. She was the sole fundraiser and coordinator of the Downtown Free Hamburger Feed, in which she created to bring the community together and to kick off the Woodward Elk’s Rodeo. She was a nominee of the prestigious Pioneer Woman of Northwestern Oklahoma Award. Along with her daughter, Kim, she created a company called Cowgirl Gold Seasonings & Mixes, in which she packaged and sold the seasonings she originally created for her family gatherings.

Her family describes her as extremely strong in her faith to God. They also describe her personality as outgoing with a terrifically witty sense of humor, as well as fiercely dedicated to her family and her work. She was determined, selfless and passionately caring.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Les Herber, children, Mike Sanders of Wetumka and Kimberly Clayton and husband, Jeremy of Afton; Jay Herber and Stacy Herber of Gage. She dearly loved all her grandchildren, Heath Barton and Kailie McCurley, Kailey Sanders, Samantha Clayton, Keltsie Herber, Kelsie Sanders, Tyrell and Madison Herber, Alli Clayton, Jacob Parnell and Spencer Underwood. She also had three great-grandchildren, Jaycee Barton, Rigyn Clark, and Emma Herber. She is also survived by her brother Reverend Terry Cross and wife Connie of Midlothian, TX, her sister, Irella Bullock of Shattuck, and a host of other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Imogene and Pete Cripps, her father, James A. Cross, and her brother, Larry A. Cross, and her beloved pet Westie, Roy Rogers.

She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 to celebrate “The Cowgirl’s” life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the

Traditions Hospice

C/O Shaw Funeral Home

P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859.