Marie Gerdes

Marie V. Gerdes, age 73, of Milbank died Sunday, September 13, 2015, at her residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank with Father Gary DeRouchey celebrating the Mass. Burial will be held at a later date at St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery in Webster. Visitation will be held from 4-5 p.m. Friday, September 18, at Mundwiler Funeral Home with a prayer service held at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday for one hour prior to the time of service at the church.

Casket bearers will be: Ryan Cook, Pat Ackerman, Dave Snaza, Joe Ackerman, Scott Ackerman, and Mike Ackerman. Honorary bearers include: Marie’s grandchildren; great-grandchildren; Mark Ackerman, Brian Ackerman, Aug Ackerman, and David Roth.

Marie V. Gerdes was born on September 8, 1942, in Waubay, SD, to Arthur and Vivian L. (Grant) Ackerman. She attended school in Waubay, graduating from Waubay High School with the class of 1960. On April 22, 1961, Marie was united in marriage with Donald L. Gerdes in Waubay. To this union, two children were born.

Although primarily a homemaker, in her early years Marie worked as a waitress and operated an in-home daycare. A caring woman, she was also a Hospice volunteer. Marie greatly enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank.

Left to cherish Marie’s memory is her daughter, Lisa ( Neal) Schmitt of Milbank; son, John (Michelle) Gerdes of Milbank; grandchildren: Chris (Jenny) Schmitt, Nicole (Ryan) Cook, Brandon Schmitt, Breanna Schmitt, Morgan Schmitt, Katlyn Schmitt, Tatum Gerdes, Carlin Gerdes, Chandra Gerdes, and Logan Gerdes; nine great-grandchildren; brothers: Bill (Judy) Ackerman of Arizona; Dennis (Bernie) Ackerman of St. Paul, MN; and sister-in-law, Pat Roth of Webster.

She was preceded in death by her parents.