Dale E. Gerdes

Dale Edward Gerdes was born April 4, 1931, the son of Gerd and Martha Schoneboom Gerdes. He died on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at the Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Carroll, Iowa, at the age of seventy-nine.
He was born in Odebolt, Iowa, and attended Wall Lake Community Schools graduating with the class of 1948. He farmed until entering the Air Force in 1951. Dale was united in marriage to Letty Stoelk on July 18, 1954. The couple made their home in Wall Lake, Iowa, and were blessed with the birth of two children. The couple moved to a farm near Breda and later to a farm near Sac City.
Dale loved woodworking, playing cards, and dancing. His vegetable garden produce was sold to the childrens school. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Films starring Walter Matthau and his sidekick, Jack Lemon, made him laugh, especially "Grumpy Old Men." He was a member of the Ehlers-Gerkin American Legion Post 694 of Arcadia, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Letty in 2001; two brothers: Don and Lloyd. Survivors include one son, Steven and his wife, Kathy; one daughter, Kathy; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Duane and his wife, Jackie; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at 9:00 A.M., Saturday, March 5, 2011, at United Church of Westside in Westside, Iowa. Pastor Richard Francis officiated the service and graveside rites held at the Westside Cemetery in Westside. Organist Marilyn Hundling provided accompaniment for congregational hymns "In The Garden" and "Jesus Loves Me." Vocalists Shelley Hundling and Arlan Willems sang "How Great Thou Art." Serving as honorary pallbearerswere Annette Stoelk, George Bieret, Lisa Clausen, Allan Mumm, Sue Gerdes, and Gail Mumm. Pallbearers were Chris Hulsebus, Sabrina Richardson, Robert Gerdes, Scott Stoelk, Tim Stoelk, and Jim Stoelk. Military honors were provided by American Legion Post 196 of Westside. The family invited everyone to return to the church for fellowship and lunch served by the United Church Women. The Huebner Funeral Home in Westside was in charge of arrangements.