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Albert ‘Al’ F. Gerhardt

Albert ‘Al’ F. Gerhardt

FAIRMONT — A funeral service for Albert “Al” F. Gerhardt, age 84, of Fairmont, Minn., will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 6, 2019, at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Fairmont. Private family interment will be in Lake Belt Cemetery, rural Ceylon, Minn. prior to the service. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont.

Al passed away Tuesday morning, April 30, 2019, at his home in Fairmont.

Lakeview Funeral Home of Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Albert Frederick Gerhardt was born Oct. 29, 1934, in Manyaska Township near Welcome, Minn., to George Oscar and Clara (Martens) Gerhardt. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Welcome, Minn. He attended country school in District 51 near Welcome and completed 9th grade at Welcome High School.

As the last of 9 children, he left school early to manage the family farm in the absence of his father who passed away when he was 9 years old and due to his older brothers being called off to war. Thus, his farming career started with some dirt, a team of horses and strong desire not to starve.

At the age of 20, he married Gladys Lavonne Gerhardt in 1954, and together they farmed near Welcome, Ceylon and ultimately near Fairmont until retiring in 1998. For those many years, they tirelessly toiled side by side mainly on rented farms where they milked cows and raised various other crops and livestock. They also raised four sons and were blessed with 65 years of marriage.

After retirement, Albert and Gladys regularly wintered in Florida, Texas and Arizona and were able to travel to many other destinations, especially enjoying the beauty of Alaska and visiting Germany to reacquaint with ancestors from his homeland. Albert loved farming, being outdoors and spending time at the family cabin.

He was an officer of the Martin County Conservation Club and was proud of the many projects and land acquisitions the club made available for the benefit of area hunters, fisherman and outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, he was active with Boy Scouts, the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce Jaycees and Agribusiness Committees, Rose Lake Golf Course, the Masonic Lodge, Martin County Kinship, Heritage Acres and was a loyal member and elder of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Fairmont.

Albert found no greater joy than having people around him. Be it family or friends or new acquaintances, he never tired of company. Those in need had a particularly special place in his heart. This love kept the family tree connected despite long distances and years of separation. He constantly found excuses to have a party, picnic, hog roast, Sunday dinner or any other simple celebration just so he could cook and converse with others.

Albert is survived by his wife, Gladys; four sons, Dick and special friend, Sara Bonin, of Fairmont, Alan and Audrey of Minnetonka, Minn., Tim and Pam of Schaumberg, Ill., and Jack and Shelley of Fairmont; one brother, Robert (Doris) of Fairmont; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ricky; siblings, Erwin, Donald, Lillian (Hartwig), Helen (Shaw), Marvin, Rozella (Langford), and Paul.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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