Larry E. Gerads

1946 - 2025

Larry E. Gerads, age 79 of St. Anthony, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 20 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony with Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B. officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Albany American Legion. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Lawrence Edward Gerads was born September 9, 1946 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Edward and Rose (Althaus) Gerads. He attended St. Anthony School through the eighth grade and graduated from Albany High School in 1964. Larry served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1970. He was united in marriage to Agnes "Aggie" Hemmesch on May 22, 1971 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Roscoe, Minnesota. Larry acquired his parents' dairy farm and continued farming until 2012 when he retired from milking.

He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony and the Albany American Legion Post 482. Throughout his life, Larry would write a journal every day, whether it be a simple weather record or a birth of a family member. He was an avid bowler in his younger years and later in life enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino, golf cart rides, and playing cards, especially with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Aggie Gerads of Albany; children, Connie (Chris) Fournelle of Billerica, Massachusetts, Barb (Dave) Fischer of Albany, Tom (Amy) Gerads of St. Joseph, Russ (Amanda) Gerads of Buffalo, and Rachel (Joe) Melendez of San Francisco, California; grandchildren, Kellan, Tyler (Jaclyn), Justin (Allie), Natalie (Riley), Kaylin, Cooper, Jackson, Brynn, Ella, Addilyn, Layla, and Ryder; sister, JoAnn Heinen of Ramsey; and brother-in-law, Fred Linn of St. Anthony.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Carol Finken and Ruth Linn; and infant sister, Jane Gerads.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Eagles Healing Nest in Sauk Centre.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.