John Gerdes, age 49 of Milbank died on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD from an irreversible head trauma.... John Gerdes

john-gerdesJohn Gerdes, age 49 of Milbank died on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD from an irreversible head trauma.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 2nd, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 3rd at 10:30 am at the Central United Methodist Church in Milbank, SD.

Casket bearers will be Ben Schell, Darwin Street, Steve Berkner, Chad Dockter, Darwin Erickson, Chris Schafer and Tom Segel. Honorary bearers will be all of his nieces and nephews and friends.

John Leon Gerdes was born October 11, 1966 in Webster, SD. He was the son of Don Gerdes and the late Marie Gerdes. They moved to Milbank, SD when John was a baby. John grew up in Milbank and graduated from MHS in 1984. John spent most of his youth either on a wrestling mat or on a football field.

John had a real passion for billiards (pool), cards and board games. He also liked watching and supporting the Minnesota Vikings. Bless his heart. He wasn’t much of a hunter but he did enjoy shooting gophers.

John proudly served his country as a soldier in the US Army from 1987 thru 1990. Shortly after his return home, he was called back into active duty at the end of the 1st Gulf War in Iraq.

John lived a selfless life and it was lovingly displayed by his generous gift of life. John gave his healthy kidney and liver to 2 separate hopeful recipients and donated the rest of his organs to science. John was a man that would give you the shirt off of his back or hand you money like he was the wealthiest man on earth. And, I guess in some respects, he was.

John was employed in a variety of positions throughout his life. He worked for Larry’s Lumber in Watertown, SD shortly after returning home from the service. He was also employed with Games Unlimited and most recently, Dakota Granite.

Survivors include his five children; Matt (twin cities area), Chandra, Logan, Tatum and Carlin. He is also survived by his father, Don Gerdes, his sister Lisa (Neal) Schmitt all of Milbank and his aunt Pat Roth of Webster.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Gerdes and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
John will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Mundwiler Funeral Home

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