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Bernard E. Bernie Gerth Nov 20 1921 - Dec 25 2009
Funeral services for Bernard “Bernie” E. Gerth, age 88, of Watertown, SD, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Watertown, SD. Rev. John Carter will officiate. Music will be provided by Rachel Wendler as organist and Matt and Amy Weseloh as vocalists. Bernie passed away on December 25, 2009, at a local hospital. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown, SD. Military graveside honors will be provided by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team – SD Army National Guard. Pallbearers will be: Christopher Burke, Michael Martin, Mike Winrow, Gary Goodroad, Ladell Goodroad, and Robert Oien. Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, from 4 to 7 p.m. and in the church on Wednesday prior to the services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Wednesday by 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service. Bernie was born on November 20, 1921, in Estelline, SD, to Herman and Susan (Buchholz) Gerth. He grew up on his parents’ farm located in Hidewood Township, Deuel County, SD. He was baptized and confirmed in the Hidewood Lutheran Church located near his home. He attended Deuel County School District #47. Later, he attended trade school located in Flandreau and Sioux Falls, SD. For a short time he lived in Cedar Rapids, IA, before enlisting in the U.S. Army during WWII. Bernie served in the 69^th Infantry Division in the European Theater until he was wounded. He spent time in various hospitals in Europe. After the war ended, he returned to Europe and served with several military units. Bernie was discharged in 1946. He returned to his parents’ farm for a short time. He moved to Watertown, SD, and was employed by the True Electric Company for eight years and then for 35 years by J.H. Larson Electric Company in Watertown. Bernie married Wilma Mickelson on October 19, 1947, at the Lutheran Free Church in Hendricks, MN. They made their home in Watertown, SD. Bernie spent much of his time, in later years, writing a Gerth Family History. Bernie’s father, Herman, had started the family history and Bernie brought the family history up to date. He was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church since 1946 where he held several offices. He was also a member of the American Legion for 37 years. Bernie is survived by his wife, Wilma, of Watertown, SD; three daughters: Carol (Terry) Andersen of Madison, SD, Candace (Mike) Burns of Rapid City, SD, and Colleen (Tim) Martin of Lincoln, NE; one son, Dale (Petra) Gerth, of Speyer, Germany; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Arlene Faehn, of Roseville, MN; and one brother, Gerhard (Erma) Gerth, of Maplewood, MN. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Sarah Gordon and Brent Uthe; his parents; two brothers, Edward and Richard; and one sister, Dorothy Weinberg.

Bernard E. Bernie Gerth
Nov 20 1921 - Dec 25 2009

Funeral services for Bernard “Bernie” E. Gerth, age 88, of Watertown, SD, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Watertown, SD. Rev. John Carter will officiate. Music will be provided by Rachel Wendler as organist and Matt and Amy Weseloh as vocalists. Bernie passed away on December 25, 2009, at a local hospital.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown, SD. Military graveside honors will be provided by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team – SD Army National Guard. Pallbearers will be: Christopher Burke, Michael Martin, Mike Winrow, Gary Goodroad, Ladell Goodroad, and Robert Oien.

Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, from 4 to 7 p.m. and in the church on Wednesday prior to the services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Wednesday by 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service.

Bernie was born on November 20, 1921, in Estelline, SD, to Herman and Susan (Buchholz) Gerth. He grew up on his parents’ farm located in Hidewood Township, Deuel County, SD. He was baptized and confirmed in the Hidewood Lutheran Church located near his home. He attended Deuel County School District #47. Later, he attended trade school located in Flandreau and Sioux Falls, SD. For a short time he lived in Cedar Rapids, IA, before enlisting in the U.S. Army during WWII. Bernie served in the 69^th Infantry Division in the European Theater until he was wounded. He spent time in various hospitals in Europe. After the war ended, he returned to Europe and served with several military units. Bernie was discharged in 1946. He returned to his parents’ farm for a short time. He moved to Watertown, SD, and was employed by the True Electric Company for eight years and then for 35 years by J.H. Larson Electric Company in Watertown.

Bernie married Wilma Mickelson on October 19, 1947, at the Lutheran Free Church in Hendricks, MN. They made their home in Watertown, SD. Bernie spent much of his time, in later years, writing a Gerth Family History. Bernie’s father, Herman, had started the family history and Bernie brought the family history up to date.

He was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church since 1946 where he held several offices. He was also a member of the American Legion for 37 years.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Wilma, of Watertown, SD; three daughters: Carol (Terry) Andersen of Madison, SD, Candace (Mike) Burns of Rapid City, SD, and Colleen (Tim) Martin of Lincoln, NE; one son, Dale (Petra) Gerth, of Speyer, Germany; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Arlene Faehn, of Roseville, MN; and one brother, Gerhard (Erma) Gerth, of Maplewood, MN.

He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Sarah Gordon and Brent Uthe; his parents; two brothers, Edward and Richard; and one sister, Dorothy Weinberg.

Guest book

Comment posted by: Brian Schwanz
Tue 29th Dec 2009 11:03 pm

Wilma and family,
May God’s peace be with you during this time of your sorrow. I am truly sorry that I was unable to be in town to sing for the funeral. May you have the comfort of knowing that Bernard is at his Savior’s side, and he went from Christmas directly to endless Eastertide! He is now “before the throne of God, serving him day and night in his temple. Never again will he hunger; never again will he thirst. The sun will not beat upon him, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the

Comment posted by: Doug Schulz
Mon 28th Dec 2009 02:56 pm

Colleen, my condolences to you and all of the Gerth family at the passing of your Dad. May God bless all you at this difficult time.

Take care,
Doug

Comment posted by: Nancy Olson Burkey
Mon 28th Dec 2009 12:25 pm

Hi Gerth Family...this is Candy's friend in California, Nancy. I am so-o-o-o-o sorry to hear of Bernie's passing. His face on the photo here is of such a kind and gentle soul. I will always remember him as.... Candy's daddy, with his big Plymouth car that we rode around in during the late 1960's, seeing him at JHL, showing me around the house just in September when I was there at the home, pointing out all of his childrens's high school photos - he was proud of you all.
Please accept my co

Comment posted by: Maynard Donna Petersen
Mon 28th Dec 2009 12:02 pm

Wilma and family: We are so sorry to hear about Bernie. He was a great guy and remember my younger days working with him at JHL..many years ago. He always had a friendly smile. He will be missed by his family and many friends. May your many special memories give you comfort.

Comment posted by: Pam Borns
Mon 28th Dec 2009 08:20 am

I am sorry for your great loss.

I enjoyed working with Bernie at JHL many years ago. He always made me smile.

Keep the good memories alive.

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