Douglas Doug E Gerdts, Sr

Douglas 'Doug' E. Gerdts Sr. January 12, 1952 - October 23, 2013

Douglas "Doug" Gerdts Sr., age 61, of Freedom Township, Waseca County, died suddenly on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, in rural Waseca.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville, with Rev. Chinnappa Pothireddy, officiant. Interment will be held at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery in Janesville.

Visitation will be held at the McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Waseca on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. and for one hour prior to services at the church on Sunday. There will be no reviewal at the church on Sunday.

Douglas Earl Gerdts Sr., the son of Earl and Elizabeth (Barr) Gerdts, was born on January 12, 1952, in Mankato, Minnesota. He attended Waldorf-Pemberton High School until 9th grade and continued his education at the Southern School of Agriculture in Waseca to better himself in a career and hobby he truly loved. On March 26, 1977, he was united in marriage to Colleen Ryan at the St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville.

Besides being a lifelong farmer in Freedom Township, Doug also worked in construction in his younger years as well as at Brown Printing and most recently at Clear Lake Press both in Waseca, until his retirement. Doug enjoyed playing a good game of Pfeffer with family and friends and also spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Doug is survived by his wife, Colleen of Waseca; his children and their families, Doug Jr. (Dawn Kelling) Gerdts and daughter, Isabella of Rochester, Sara Gerdts of Waseca, Daniel (Amanda) Gerdts and children, Jensen, Jacksen and Parker of North Mankato, Dustin (Sarah Langworthy) Gerdts and children, Kailyn, Gracie and Jacob of St. Clair, and Angie (Bryan) Becker and children, Ethan, Isaiah and Caleb of North Mankato; his siblings, Lorene (Duane) Bleess of Mankato, Robert Jones of Janesville and Allen (Mary) Gerdts of Janesville; his mother-in-law, Esther Ryan of Janesville, and by many other family members and friends.

He Viola was (Eustice) preceded Ryan. in death by his parents and by his mother and father-in-law, Daniel and