John Gerdes

John William Gerdes (72) of Kimball, SD passed away on January 20, 2026 at the Sanford Hospital in Chamberlain, SD. He was born on May 22, 1953 in Mitchell, SD to John and Darline (Powers) Gerdes.

John was born at St Joseph's hospital in Mitchell, SD. John's father (John Gerdes) was working for the State Highway Department at the time when John's mother (Darline Gerdes) started going into labor while living in White Lake, SD. An elderly couple living next to them offered to drive them to the hospital and off they went going 100mph on Old Highway 16. When they got to Mitchell, it was told, they were driving 50mph through the streets. The wife of the elderly couple was said to be waving a white handkerchief outside the car to alert people they were going to the hospital. John's mother, Darline, was so relieved when they finally made it to the hospital because there was no way John was going to be born in the back of a car of the crazy old couple!

John proudly served as a member of the United States Air Force. He served as a sergeant for three years. On June 9, 1972 a flood had hit the Black Hills. Ellsworth Airmen were quickly dispatched to Rapid City to help with rescue and recovery operations. The Airmen worked countlessly to rescue citizens from the violent floods. One of those men happened to be John. This was one of his many accomplishments in the Air Force that he was proud of.

In 1974 John started his career with the Brule County Highway Department where he would eventually retire after 43 years in 2018. During his years he would blade roads, fix equipment, haul gravel, and oil the highways. During the winter months John would be out in the early mornings to plow the roads after a long winter storm. John enjoyed working with his coworkers and always giving them a tough time. Those coworkers ended up becoming lifelong friends.

In 1979 John gained two children - Riley and Carrie. Which weren't his kids biologically but they quickly became like his own children and he loved them like so. John would frequently take Riley and Carrie to go fishing and hunting which he enjoyed a lot. He was a great dad to his kids.

John is best described by the many people he has impacted in his life as, tough on the outside but a good, funny, kind man on the inside. He loved (mostly) every person he came across. Whether that be his kids he took in at a very young age, his many grandchildren he would eventually have, his friends from the bar, his friends from the Air Force, his friends from his job, and even the nurses who took care of him. John however, loved his wife Maureen most of all. John and Maureen had been together for 47 years and married for 22 years. They met in 1979 at the bowling alley which is now Club Vega, after Maureen moved back to Kimball from Wisconsin.

John has left a lasting impact on all the people he loved and cared about and will continue to do so even in death. John's kind hearted, sarcastic, witty, and strong spirit will always be remembered by his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Maureen Gerdes (London); two children, Carrie Fletcher of Tucson, AZ and Riley Fletcher of Kimball, SD; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Darline (Powers) Gerdes; his sister Rosemary Rasmussen (Gerdes) and other sister Marlene Kerner (Gerdes).

Funeral services for John Gerdes, 72, of Kimball, SD, were held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10:30 am at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Kimball with Father Richard Fox as Celebrant. A rosary service was held at 9:30 am before the Funeral Mass.

Prelude "America the Beautiful"

Opening Hymn "Amazing Grace"

Responsorial Psalm "The Lord is My Shepherd, There is Nothing I Shall Want"

Preparation of Gifts "Be Thou My Vision"

Communion Hymn "Shepherd Me, O God"

"Song of Farewell"

Closing Hymn "On Eagles Wings"

Music was provided by Eileen Kroupa, pianist.

Cantor was Delilah Rasmussen

Lector was Micky Rasmussen

Altar Servers were Nicholas Rybak and Nathan Rybak.

Casket Bearers were Riley Fletcher, Micky Rasmussen, Tony Rasmussen, Alan Rasmussen, Steven Kerner, and Mike Schlaffman.

Military Honors were given by the Kimball Drips Legion Post 130 and the Air Force National Honors Team.

Inturnment was in St. Margaret Catholic Cemetery, Kimball, SD.

Following the burial service, lunch was served at the Kimball American Legion Hall.