Gene Edwin Gerdes, 85, left this Earth to be with our Lord on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Rapid City Regional Hospital with his family by his side.
He was born May 24, 1932 in Alliance, NE to George C. and Minnie (Spetman) Gerdes. He graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, NE in 1950.
On July 9, 1951 he was united in marriage to the love of his life Alice M. Tschacher at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Coming from a long line of military servicemen, Gene went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. Gene was stationed in Augsburg, Germany during the Korean War. He was proud and honored to serve for his country.
A lifelong rancher and farmer, following his military service, Gene returned to the family homestead north of Alliance. He showed short-horn cattle in 4-H and also raised, showed, and judged Arabian horses all over the country. When he was back at home he was working the farmland. In late 1980’s, Gene began growing and brokered for organic grains.
Gene lived a full and bountiful life. He took pride in the horses he cared for and soil he farmed. He valued lifelong friendships. Most of all he treasured his family. Blessed with his two precious daughters, beautiful wife of 66 years, and many great-grandbabies running around, always put a warm smile on his face.
He is survived by his wife, Alice, his children, Andrea Gerdes (fiancé Daniel Watkins) and Sarah (Randy) Milleson all of Alliance, his grandchildren, Erin (Mark) Fritzler, Robyn Miner, and Michael (Shyanne) Rust and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister and brother-in- law Mary Jo (Joe) Rotter, sister- in- law Margie Brost, brother and sister- in- law Bob (Mary) Tschacher, brother and sister- in-law, Gary (Barbara) Tschacher, brother -in-law, John Miller, and sister-in-law, Beverly Tschacher, his niece, Jeana Holso and his nephews, Gary and Leigh Fairhead.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and her husband Gladys and Garould Fairhead. Father and mother- in- law Edward and Lacy Tschacher, brothers- in –law, Fred Brost and Donald Tschacher, sister-in-law, Sharon Miller, and nephews Casey and Dan Brost.
Funeral services will be Monday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery at a later date. Wake services will be Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church. Visitation will be Sunday from 1-5 at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home and continue at the wake.
Memorials may be sent in care of the family to 5323 Franklin Road, Alliance, NE 69301 for a future designation.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.