Elmer R. Gerdes

Elmer Renke Gerdes, age 86, of Manson, IA, passed away on Friday, January 11, 2019 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Augustana Lutheran in Manson with Pastor Janelle Siffring officiating.  Organist for the service will be Cheryl Huss and soloist will be Shelly Block.  Military honors will be held at the church by the Iowa Army National Guard Funeral Honors Detail.  Burial will be at a later date.

Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Elmer was the son of Renke and Ella (Ricklefs) Gerdes.  He was born on the family farm in Palmer, Iowa on August 31, 1932.  He attended country school and graduated from Palmer High School in 1951.  Elmer enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1955.  After his discharge he worked a short time at Fort Dodge Laboratories before joining his father and brother, Don, in the family farm operation and lived on the family farm caring for his parents until their deaths.  He continued farming until his retirement in 1993.  Elmer was proud that he was a founding member of Faith Lutheran Church in Palmer.  On March 6, 1998 Elmer married Myrtle Pogeler and life as he knew it changed.  He moved to Manson, acquired a family of 2 adult children, 5 grandkids and 12 great grandkids.  He and Myrtle enjoyed traveling and going to the casino.  Together, they enjoyed taking care of their homes and doing yard work.

Elmer moved to Carroll, Iowa on Oct 22, 2018 so he could be with Myrtle while she recuperated at Accura Nursing Home.  On January 5, 2019 Elmer entered St. Anthony Hospital and passed away to join his parents and twin sisters Mardella & Marian on January 11, 2019.

Survivors include his loving wife Myrtle of Carroll, stepdaughter Patricia Fricke (Paul) of Carroll, stepson, Tim Pogeler (Kathryn) of Lake City; step granddaughters Amy Demonia, Laura Smith, Alissa Follmann; step grandsons Matthew Harrison and Tony Pogeler; his brother Donald Gerdes (Jeanette) of Pocahontas; his sister Marlys Wiemers (Maynard) of Gilmore City; nephews Steve Wiemers and Brian Gerdes; and nieces Barbara Kirkpatrick, Diane Graaf and Lori Riet er; he was also Great Elmer to Chloe, Daniel, Derek, Mike, Kitty, Will, Katelynn, Regan, Max, Maci, Sidney and Gauge.