1938-ELDEN GERDES-2019
Elden Floyd Gerdes, age 81, of Worthington, died Friday, November 29, 2019, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born July 1, 1938, in rural Fulda, to George T. and GeSena (Buss) Gerdes. He attended country school in District #102, rural Nobles County; and graduated from Fulda High School in 1952. Elden was a member of the Army National Guard at the Armory in Worthington, and he went for two weeks of summer training as a Combat Engineer and in the Medics at Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN. He served his country from the fall of 1956 until 1962.
Elden married Audry Lee Goembel on November 27, 1960, in Luverne. The couple just celebrated their fifty ninth wedding anniversary. After their marriage, they lived in Minneapolis until the spring of 1961 when they moved to his aunt’s farm that Anna Buss owned and began farming with his dad and brothers. In January of 1969, they bought and moved to a farm northwest of the Pfingston Church in Bloom Township, rural Fulda. Elden farmed until he retired in 2009, putting in fifty two crops. After retiring, the couple moved into a new house in Worthington that his son, Kevin built in the fall of 2010.
He was a member of the Lakeside Baptist Church, in Worthington, and believed in Jesus Christ as his savior. He served as an Usher and Greeter for many years. Elden enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family and friends throughout his lifetime. He loved when his grandchildren would come to stay and enjoyed attending their school activities. He also enjoyed attending car shows and showing his 1965 Ford Thunderbird and won some trophys. Every season he looked forward to watching the Vikings football games. Elden loved traveling to California and states in between were memorable. In the later years, he spent time at the Wilmont Senior Center.
Elden is survived by his wife, Audry Gerdes, Worthington; daughter, Sherri (Erwin) Kooiman, Edgerton; son, Kevin (Sharon) Gerdes, Prior Lake; five grandchildren, Carrie Ann (Bob) Lick, Christine Lee Mollema, Eric Lynn Kooiman, Daniel Joseph Gerdes and Sarah Ann Gerdes; a great-granddaughter, Kylie Ann Mollema; a brother, Harold (Diane) Gerdes, Fulda; two sisters-in-law, Carole Gerdes, Fulda; and Judy (Richard) Larsen, Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; twin sons, Ricky and Randy Gerdes; a sister, Irene Miller; two brothers, Erwin and Vernon Gerdes; and a sister-in-law, Norma Jean Gerdes. Memorial service was held at 11 am Tuesday at the Lakeside Baptist Church, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor Wesley Kouba. A private family burial service preceded the funeral service.
To view an online obituary, please visit dingmannandsons.com
