Bernard Edward Gerdes

Bernard Edward "Bud" Gerdes died Saturday, February 6, 2016, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, with family at his side. Bernard was born April 30, 1930 in rural Harmon to Edo and Tamma (Janssen) Gerdes. He was a US Army Veteran, being stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He married Corrine Floto on August 29, 1954 at Kingdom Evangelical United Brethren Church, rural Dixon. Bud was an active, lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon, serving in many different capacities over his lifetime. He and Corrine served the community delivering Meals on Wheels for the past 20 years. He was an avid, long-time member of the Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus, including Barbershopper of the Year in 1991. Bud had a passion for boating and waterskiing; built a boat with his friend in the 1950's, learned to water ski in 1955, and owned several boats over his lifetime. He left a legacy for generations of kids and grandkids and was proud of all of his skiing grandkids. He waterskied until he was 80 years old, taking his last water ski run in 2010. He and his family have vacationed, boating and skiing on Kentucky Lake for more than 40 years. He retired in 1995 from Allied-Locke Industries after nearly 30 years of service as one of the start-up company's first hires, serving mostly as tool & die foreman. Bud is survived by Corrine, his wife of 61 years, son Brad (Betsy) Gerdes of Onalaska, Wisconsin; daughters DeAnn (Harvey) Williams of Dixon; Lori (Scott) Diehl of Aurora; and Sara (Mike) Barry of Austin, Texas; 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; half-brothers Everett, Arthur, and Clifford Volk; and sisters Bernadine and Bernice. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at 11:00 AM in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon with the Rev. Frank Langholf, Pastor, officiating. Cremation will follow with private burial of cremains at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 8, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM in the Jones Funeral Home, and also on Tuesday from 9:30 AM until time of service in the church. Memorials have been established to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Dixon, Meals on Wheels of Dixon, and the Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus of Sterling-Rock Falls.

Bernard Edward Gerdes

April 30, 1930 - February 6, 2016