Willard Walter Gerdts, age 87, of Waldorf, departed this life Sunday, February 18, 2016 at his home. He had an extended time of heart/kidney disease and chronic back pain. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf, with Pastor Michael Mathews officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday at First Lutheran Church. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery in Waldorf. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home of Wells is in charge of the arrangements.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.brussheitner.com
Willard was born April 1, 1928, the middle child, to Walter and Margaret (Mueller) Gerdts, at their home south of Waldorf in Vivian Township. He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church and on April 6, 1941 confirmed in his faith in the same church with Rev. E.H.C Mueller officiating. Willard attended Waldorf Elementary and Immanuel Lutheran Elementary. He graduated from Waldorf High School, class of 1946.On June 23, 1954 Willard and Marilyn Olsen were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. Rev. J.C. Walldom officiated. Willard farmed with his family in the Waldorf area his entire life. He was a longtime member of the MN Brown Swiss Cattle Assoc. He served as president from 1978-1980, and was awarded the “State Outstanding Registered Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders” title in 1983. Willard held various offices at First Lutheran over the years. In 1988 he and Marilyn moved to their new retirement home which he electrically wired and helped complete.
Among the things that Willard enjoyed besides family and farming were tour coach trips, Texas trips, old time music, Farm America events, TV sports and game shows, reading, cards and puzzle books.
Willard is survived by his wife Marilyn Gerdts of Waldorf; son Lyndon (Brenda) Gerdts of Waldorf; grandchildren Ashly (Steve) Harguth of Waseca, and Collin Gerdts of Waldorf; great-grandchildren Ryan and Emily Harguth; brother Marlin (Diane) Gerdts of Phoenix, AZ .
He is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Margaret; in-laws John and Hilda Olsen; sister Erna (Erv) Eichhorst; brother-in-law, Herman Olsen.
Our sincerest thank you to Mankato Mayo Clinic Hospice personnel for their care and support.