Marvin Gerdes

Marvin Lee Gerdes was born on October 13, 1941 in Mountain Lake, MN to Otto and Nettie (Beier) Gerdes. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age. He was a graduate of the 1959 class of Mountain Lake High School where he sang in the choir, was active in FFA, where he was selected to sing in the National FFA chorus and received honors for is Dairy Cattle judging. On August 20, 1966, he married Yvonne Bolstad at the First Baptist Church in Windom, Minnesota. He initially farmed together with his father on the land in Carson Township homesteaded by his grandfather and subsequently assumed its ownership and farmed until 1995. In 2008, his homestead was awarded the honor of being named a Century Farm. In addition to his farming, he worked for the United States Postal Service for many years. Marvin was a member of the Alliance Missionary Church, Mennonite Mutual Insurance Board, Youth For Christ Board, and Kiwanis. He loved music and sang in the Messiah volunteer Christmas concert for several years, directed church choirs for many years, and sang in special music groups. Marvin liked attending his sons' sporting and musical events along with spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed collecting antique farm equipment and playing with his dog, Oreo. Marvin is survived by his wife, Yvonne, four sons and five grandchildren: Scott Becky (Nathan and Matthew) Gerdes, Rochester, MN, Jon Heather (Alex) Gerdes, Mountain Lake, MN, Paul Kara (Mark) Gerdes, Alexandria, MN, and James Susan (Emma) Gerdes, Hartford, SD; brother, Art Peggy Gerdes, Edmonds, WA; sister: Arlene Derksen, Mountain Lake, MN, mother-in-law Jean Bolstad, Windom, MN, sister-in-law, Beverly Bolstad, Rapid City, SD, and many other relatives, friends, and his best buddy, Oreo. He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Nettie Gerdes, brother, Raymond; and father-in-law, Alfred Bolstad. First Visitation 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Saturday, March 17, 2012 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake 420 10th St. N. Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Second Visitation 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm Sunday, March 18, 2012 Alliance Missionary Church 809 5th Ave. Mt. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 1:30 pm Sunday, March 18, 2012 Alliance Missionary Church 809 5th Ave. Mt. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159