Wayne Gersch

Wayne Carl Gersch, age 82, passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021, at the Good Samarian Society in Mountain Lake surrounded by family. Visitation will be on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the First Lutheran Church, St. James and will continue on Saturday from 9:30 am until 10:30 am at the church. Service will be held at the First Lutheran Church, St. James, on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 10:30 am. The clergy will be Rev. Andy Hermodson-Olsen and Rev. Matthew Seegert. Interment will be at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James. Military honors will be provided by the St James Veterans Honor Guard. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. Wayne Gersch was born on July 17, 1939, in Madelia, Minnesota to Carl and Alwine (Wolle) Gersch, the fifth of seven children born to the couple. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church of Lewisville on August 6, 1939, and confirmed on March 29, 1953. He grew up on the family farm just outside of Lewisville and graduated from Truman High School in 1958. Wayne joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1961, completing his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was honorably discharged after serving a total of sixteen years. Wayne married the love of his life, Phyllis Froslan, on June 5, 1964, at First Lutheran Church in St. James, where he was a member for the remainder of his life. Wayne and Phyllis were blessed with 57 years of marriage and three sons, Daron in 1965, Daryl in 1968, and David in 1970. Wayne held several jobs throughout his life, with the two longest tenured positions being with S-T Industries and Swift-Eckrich. He retired in 2002. He was active in the community as a member of the St. James American Legion Post #33, serving as Post Commander and participating in the color guard. He also served as a 4-H leader and was one of the co-founders of the 4-H shooting sports program. He was a member of the Watonwan County Historical Society and served on various church committees throughout the years. He also enjoyed playing Santa Claus at various community functions. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, camping, hunting, tinkering with old clocks, and attending garage sales and auctions. Wayne is survived by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis Gersch; sons Daron (Patti) Gersch of Avon, Daryl Gersch (fiance Kim Bryan) of Shakopee, and David (Rebecca) Gersch of St. James; grandchildren Nicholas (Annie) Gerway of Minneapolis, Molly (Mitchell) Kollodge of Sauk Rapids, and Anthony Gersch of Avon; grand-dog Rocky Gersch; grand-cats Shiloh, Joplin, and Gettysburg Gersch; great-grand-cat Pepper Gerway, and great-grand-dog Kuzco Kollodge. He is also survived by one sister, Arline Boeck of Winnebago; brother and sister-in-law Dale and RaeDell Gersch of Cambria; brother Loren Gersch of Mankato; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lowell and Diane Froslan of Deephaven, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Alwine Gersch; father-in-law and mother-in-law Paul and Mildred Froslan; brother Eugene Gersch; sister and brother-in-law Audrey and Myron Kassen; infant sister Edith Gersch, and brother-in-law Delphin Boeck. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, September 24, 2021 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Saturday, September 25, 2021 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Saturday, September 25, 2021 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Reception A reception will take place in the church social hall immediately following interment.