Harold Gerdes
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Harold Herman Gerdes, son of Herman and Ramona (Lunzman) Gerdes, was born on July 29th, 1949 in Britton, SD. He attended school in Hecla and graduated in 1967. At the age of 17, he joined the Navy and was stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes in Chicago. A year later he departed from San Diego aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) to serve in Vietnam. Following his time in the Navy, Harold returned to Hecla and joined his Grandfather Hei Gerdes on the ranch. On June 1st 1974, Harold was united in marriage to Susan Zastrow. They continued to reside on the ranch where they raised livestock. On July 4th, 1975 they welcomed twin daughters, Jessica and Sarah into the world. Harold's primary occupation was ranching but was also a self-employed semi truck driver. Harold obtained a commercial pilots license and flew a crop dusting plane for Country Air Service from 1987-1998. He also owned his own airplane, a green Aeronca Champ, dubbed the Grasshopper, for which he built a dirt runway in his pasture. Harold, Susan and the girls thoroughly enjoyed time together driving/riding through the pastures and the Sandhills checking cattle. Eventually Harold's daughters gave him eight grandchildren whom he adored. Susan could always rely on Harold to remember each grandchild's birthdate when she couldn't! Grandpa loved when they would visit him on the farm. He cherished his time spent with them on horseback, watching them play on the haystacks, giving tractor rides, teaching them to rope, and 'practice driving' the riding lawnmower in circles around the farm for hours! Another passion of Harold's was roping. When he turned 50 he began to compete in Senior Men's Breakaway Roping. He developed friendships with Cowboys from SD, ND, Arizona and Canada that brought him indescribable happiness. In 2015, Harold and Susan purchased property in AZ so he could fulfill his dream of roping year round. He lived his dream to the fullest! A few other of his favorite things are the Navy Blue Angels, Elvis Presley, the tv show Gunsmoke and warm weather! He was confirmed into the Catholic Church in May of 2009. Harold unexpectedly passed away on January 18th, 2021 in Chandler, AZ.
Left to cherish his life are his beloved wife Susan, his daughter Jessica (Ryan) Rud of Buffalo, MN and grandchildren Justin, Avery, Olivia and Grant. Daughter Sarah (Ryan) Gruber of Brandon, SD and grandchildren Gracyn, Abby, Emma and Brooke. Brothers Harlen Gerdes of Montana and Gale Gerdes of Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Carson Gerdes of Hecla.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Oakes, ND. Masks are preferred. Harold's service will be live streamed on the Dahlstrom Funeral Home website www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com Burial with military honors will be held at the Hecla City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to SPURS Therapeutic Riding Center.