Funeral services for George B. Gjerde, age 98, of Watertown, SD, formerly of Hazel, SD, will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2010, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Vienna, SD.  Rev. Kathy Hibbert and Rev. David Larson will officiate.  Music will be provided by Dorothy Fuller, organist, Kristin Vandersnick, pianist, Rev. David Larson, soloist, and a quartet of Lloyd Brekke, Matt & Kristin Vandersnick, and Renae Singrey.  George passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at a local care center in Watertown.

     Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD.  Military graveside honors will be provided by Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team - SD National Guard.  Pallbearers will be:  Steve and Joyce Weber, Dr. Ed and Ann Larson, Roger Crom, Don and Liz Fryslie, Ted and Ann Homola, Lloyd and Cheryl Brekke, Pat and Wanda Smith, Leone Olson, Bernice Mamer, Jim and Julie Stolp, and Gerrie Howey.  Ushers will be Lloyd and Cheryl Brekke.

     Visitation will be in Crawford Funeral Chapel, Watertown, on Thursday, April 29, 2010, from 4 to 7 p.m. and in the church on Friday preceding the services.  The family is requested to meet at the church on Friday by 10:30 a.m. for a prayer service.

     George was born on November 4, 1911, at Hazel, SD, to Gundveld “Guy” and Bertha (Iverson) Gjerde.  He attended Brandford #3 Country School through the eighth grade.  He lived with his brother, Selmer Gjerde, for several years while attending school.  George then moved to Minnesota and worked near Lake Wilson.  George entered the US Army in 1942 and served overseas for two and a half years in India during WWII.  He was honorably discharged in 1946.  He then worked for Oliver Baxter until 1959.

     On February 12, 1959, George married Twyla J. Wendling at New Hope Lutheran Church, rural Hayti, SD.  He farmed in the Hazel area, retired and moved to Hazel.  He then worked for area farmers until he fully retired when he was ninety years old. 

     George was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vienna.  He was also a member of the VFW.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, and especially enjoyed being with family and friends. 

     He is survived by his wife, Twyla, of Watertown, SD; one sister-in-law, Margaret Gjerde, of Watertown, SD; one brother-in-law, Dale (Maryann) Wendling, of Lake Norden, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews.

     George was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, and two sisters.