Gene Erdmann

Gene Erdmann was born on April 24, 1954, in Fargo, ND, to August and Sarah (Knutson) Erdmann. He was raised in rural Cass County and graduated from Enderlin High School in 1972.

Gene married Bonnie Pfaff on May 24, 1975. Later that year, they moved to Glasgow, MT, where Gene attended trade school to become a plumber— though he preferred to call himself a “drain surgeon.”

Gene worked as a plumber for 39 years across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He was a dedicated member of the United Association of Plumbers, spending the majority of his career with the Minneapolis Plumbers Local Union #15, of which he remained a member for 45 years, including during retirement. He achieved his lifelong dream of retiring on April 25, 2014. Shortly afterward, Gene and Bonnie moved to Pequot Lakes, MN.

Gene passed away on January 18, 2026, in Brainerd, MN, surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer and other illnesses.

Gene is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his daughters Christa (Jason Anderson) Erdmann, Kathy (Don) Wolfe, and Amy (Tony) Ebensteiner; and his grandchildren Sidney and Isaac Wolfe. He is also survived by his siblings Earl (Marcia) Erdmann and Darlene Sell; his sister in law Judy Erdmann; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and brothers- and sisters in law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Sarah Erdmann; his brother Melvin Erdmann; his brother in law Bill Sell; and his father and mother in law, Bob and Alvina Pfaff.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Timothy Larson and his team at Minnesota Oncology for their exceptional care and compassion.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 21st at Trinity Lutheran Church in Enderlin, ND with a reception to follow at the Enderlin VFW.

Memorial 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Funeral at 2:00 pm. Hawaiian shirts encouraged.