GERARDI, Ernest (1914-1974)

GERARDI, PAOLINI, QUANDT, COLLARD, MICICH, CAPUA

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 8/26/2014 at 15:34:31

Ernest Gerardi

KLEMME — Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme for Ernest Gerardi, 59, who died Saturday at a Belmond hospital.

Burial will be in the Klemme cemetery, with the Andrew Funeral Home in charge.

He is survived by his wife, Gracka; two daughters, Gracka Collard, Sarasota, Fla., and Mrs. Paul (Anita) Micich, Des Moines; two grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Frank (Jennie) Capua, Chicago Heights, Ill.; two brothers, Ricardo, Chicago Heights, Ill.,, and Eugene, Frankfort, Ill.

source: Mason City Globe Gazette

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Ernest Gerardi of Klemme dies

Funeral services for Ernest Gerardi, 59, of Klemme, who was dead on arrival at the Belmond Hospital Saturday morning, will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday (today) morning at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme. The Rev. Marvin Lehmann will officiate. Burial will be in the Klemme Cemetery with the Andrew Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Ernest Alexander Gerardi was born Nov. 23, 1914, in Marble, Colo., the son of John and Filomena Paolini Gerardi. The family moved to Chicago Heights, Ill., when he was very young, where he was raised and educated. He studied music privately. After he completed his education he played professionally the piano accordion. He operated a piano accordion studio in Cedar Rapids with his brother Al and then his own studio in Mason City.

During the Second World War Mr. Gerardi worked for Boeing Aircraft Corporation in Wichita, Kan. Later he managed Helzbergs Jewelry Stores in Wichita, Kan., Kansas City, Kan., and Des Moines. In 1949, he came to Klemme where he owned and operated Gerardi's Cafe and Music Center. In 1970 he joined the Iowa Department of Social Services in Quality Control where he was employed until his death.

On March 26, 1938, Mr. Gerardi was united in marriage to Gracka Quandt in Missouri and to this union two daughters were born; Gracka and Anita.

Mr. Gerardi was a professional accordion player, composer, teacher, and adjudicator.

He was a member of the Immanuel Reformed Church of Christ in Klemme, a 32 degree Mason and a Shriner, a member of the National American Accordionist Association, the American Federation of Musicians, the Iowa Accordion Teachers Guild, an Honorary member of the Minnesota Accordion Teachers Guild, the Lions Club in Klemme and the Klemme Area Development Organization. He was an active member and former board chairman of North Iowa Library Extension Service.

Survivors include his wife Gracka, two daughters; Gracka Collard of Sarasota, Fla., and Mrs. Paul (Anita) Micich of Des Moines; two grandchildren: Charles and Suzanne Collard; two brothers: Ricardo Gerardi of Chicago Heights, Ill., and Eugene Gerardi of Frankfort, Ill.; and one sister, Mrs. Frank (Jennie) Capua of Chicago Heights, Ill.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

source:jbscrapbook