|
Todd L. Gerdes |
|
November 7, 1963 ~ December 6, 2017 |
|
December 9, 2017 |
Todd L. Gerdes, 54, Aurora, Nebraska, passed
away on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at CHI
Health St. Francis, Grand Island, Nebraska.
Memorial services will be at Evangelical Free
Church in Central City, Nebraska, with Pastor
Sam Krug officiating.
A private family inurnment will be held at a
later date. Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and
Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements.
Todd was born on November 7, 1963, to Herman and
Donna (Johnson) Gerdes at Sioux Center, Iowa. He
attended schools in Manning, St. Ansgar and
Clear Lake, Iowa. The family moved to Shelby,
Nebraska, in 1978. Todd graduated from Shelby
High School in 1982.
While in high school, Todd lettered all four
years in basketball, track and football, and was
a member of the 1981 Shelby state championship
football team, also achieving All-State honors
in football.
He then went on to attend the University of
South Dakota, where he played football and
received his bachelor’s degree in business
administration in 1987. In Todd’s senior year of
college, his team played in the NAIA Division II
championship football game and was later
inducted into the University of South Dakota’s
Hall of Fame.
Todd worked for the Farmers Coop Business
Association in Shelby, and soon after accepted a
position with the Aurora Cooperative as a
specialty grain merchandiser. His
responsibilities progressed to working with
Preferred Popcorn.
Todd’s professional career encompassed numerous
organizations and honors in the agricultural
field. His experiences in the agricultural arena
were international. He was very proud of the
opportunity to share his knowledge while also
learning from others.
This was demonstrated through his support and
participation in the LEAD Program, as well as
providing subject matter expertise through
lectures at UNL and various college campuses.
Todd took an active role in many community
organizations through chamber activities, youth
sports and community events.
Other interests near and dear to him were
Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and other
conservation organizations. He took a special
interest in providing opportunities for kids
through youth hunts, safety courses and honoring
the great outdoors.
Todd was a member of shooting sports activities,
whether it be weekly leagues or charitable
shooting events. He also took an active interest
in Harley Davidson cycles and the open highway
through rides and charitable events with
friends.
Todd’s greatest legacy was his contribution to
the lives of his nieces and nephews. He inspired
them through actions and deeds. He was their
best cheerleader and took an active role in
mentoring them in a way only Todd could.
Todd is survived by his parents, Herman and
Donna Gerdes, Stromsburg, Nebraska, brother
Derek Gerdes, Fayetteville, North Carolina,
sisters Darla (Ron) Hopwood, Shelby, and Brenda
(Ken) Toline, Bonners Ferry, nieces and nephew
Katie, Seth, Cari, Maddie and Kristen,
great-niece Arika, great-nephews Cole and
Jonathon and a host of other relatives and
friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents,
Dirk and Stena Gerdes and Orland and Eva
Johnson, and nephew Caelan Hopwood.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that
charitable contributions be made to CHI Health
St. Francis Cancer Treatment Center, W2116
Faidley Ave., Suite 200, Grand Island, NE 68803.
Todd held the cancer center in the highest
esteem. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
