GERDES, George Raymond Sr.
GERDES, SCHMIDT, RUZICH, COOPER, RIGGOTT, WOLTERSMCINTOH, GENTRY, NELSON, WEINGART, RUNK, CHOATE, ERDMANN, HOLMES
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/4/2018 at 00:14:38
Obituary - George Raymond Gerdes, Sr.
October 26, 1949 ~ February 13, 2013The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
February 16, 2013Mason City — George Raymond Gerdes Sr., 63, of Mason City died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
A Memorial Mass for George will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 18, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 412 N. Broadway, Manly, with the Rev. John Gossman as celebrant and the Rev. Kenneth Gehling and the Rev. Thomas McAndrews as concelebrants. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Manly where full military honors will be conducted by the Iowa Army National Honor Guard and the Edward Tosel American Legion Post 110. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, with a rosary will begin at 7 p.m. with a scriptural wake to follow. The family prefers casual attire be worn at the Memorial Mass and visitation. Should friends desire, memorials may be left to the George R. Gerdes Sr. Memorial Fund in care of his family.
The family would like to thank Dr. Samuel Congello and the staff at the Mercy Heart Center for the exceptional care that was provided to George.
George Raymond Gerdes Sr., son of Ivan and Mary Laurel Schmitz Gerdes, was born Oct. 26, 1949, in Mason City. George was a graduate of Newman Catholic High School and was drafted in the United States Army in 1969. On Dec. 26, 1970, George was wounded, honorably discharged in 1970 and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
George met Joette Ruzich and was united in marriage on Nov. 10, 1972, in Sioux Falls, S.D. To this union three children were born: Lisa, Tricia, and George Jr. Following George’s courageous service in the military, he attended and graduated from NIACC, receiving a Liberal Arts degree in draftsmanship. While working at FMC Linkbelt Speeder as a draftsman in Cedar Rapids, he continued his education at the University of Iowa. In 1978, the family moved back to Plymouth where he worked on the century farm and also worked for Armour as a maintenance supervisor for over 22 years, retiring in 2000.
Family was most important to George, who spent time with his children and grandchildren. He taught them how to fish and attended their sporting events. He enjoyed tractor rides, tractor pulls and spent time at the Willow Run in Mason City. He loved joking around with his friends and enjoyed camping. George was a jack of all trades, tinkering around his man cave. He was well known for his patriotism.
George was active with the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department, Edward Tosel American Legion Post 110, Mason City VFW Post 733, Vietnam Veterans Association, Disabled Veteran Association, and the Moose Lodge.
He will be missed by his wife, Joette Gerdes; children, Lisa (Scott) Cooper, Tricia (Travis) Riggott, and George Gerdes Jr. and his fiancée, Abi Wolters; grandchildren, Bailey, Taylor, Elizabeth, Samantha, Nic, Gregory, Kyle, Jake, and Carter; brother, Jim (Donna Rae) Gerdes; sisters, Anna (Dalton) McIntosh, Judy Gentry and her fiancé, Tom Nelson, and Donna Jean (Daryl) Weingart; brother-in-laws, Bill Ruzich, Tom (Joni) Ruzich, and Joe (Cheryl) Ruzich and sister-in-law, Denise (John) Funk; bonus children, John Choate and Dawn Erdmann; special cousin, Joany Holmes along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Timothy Gerdes, and In-Laws.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, 641-423-2372, ColonialChapels.com.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2018
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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