1932
Donald
2011
Donald Gerpen
June 9, 1932 — November 11, 2011
Donald Van Gerpen, age 79, of Fergus Falls, died Friday, November 11, 2011, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
Donald Dean Van Gerpen was born June 9, 1932 to Ralph and Sylvia (Wright) Van Gerpen in Windom, MN. He attended Windom High School through the ninth grade. Donald then worked for area farmers and the State Highway Department. On January 16, 1951 he entered the U.S. Army where he served with the 125th Field Artillery 47 Infantry Division at Camp Rucker, Alabama.
After Donald's military discharge, he returned to Windom and worked for Toro Manufacturing. He then worked for an auto body repair business, also in Windom, which he eventually purchased and ran until 1958. Donald then moved to Mankato and worked in the auto repair business. In 1962 he moved to California. On August 28, 1964 Donald married Lorraine Glenn in Reno, NV. They moved to Edwards, MN in 1972 where he operated Van's Grocery Store. In the early 1980's to 1986 Donald did over the road trucking for E.W. Wylie out of Fargo, ND. In 1983 the couple moved into Fergus Falls and after retiring, wintered in Apache Junction, AZ.
Donald was a member of American Legion Post 27 of Apache Junction, AZ and the Independent Order of Foresters. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his children, Linda (Kevin) Gerds of Windom, Vicki Van Gerpen of Bloomington, Denise (Dan) Kugler of Underwood, Vicki (Gene) Wichelmann of Forest Lake, Lois (Garry) Condon of New York Mills, JoAnn (Scott) Emery of Rothsay and Glenn Nickelson of Fergus Falls; 20 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lorraine on October 25, 2001; his step-son, Charles Nickelson; sister, Shirley Johnson; and brother-in-law, Robert Johnson.
Funeral Services: 1 PM, Friday, November 18, 2011, at Tonseth Lutheran Church
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at church
Clergy: Pastor Floyd Synstelien
Military Rites: VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post 30
Cemetery: Tonseth Cemetery
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Donald Dean Van Gerpen was born June 9, 1932 to Ralph and Sylvia (Wright) Van Gerpen in Windom, MN. He attended Windom High School through the ninth grade. Donald then worked for area farmers and the State Highway Department. On January 16, 1951 he entered the U.S. Army where he served with the 125th Field Artillery 47 Infantry Division at Camp Rucker, Alabama.
After Donald's military discharge, he returned to Windom and worked for Toro Manufacturing. He then worked for an auto body repair business, also in Windom, which he eventually purchased and ran until 1958. Donald then moved to Mankato and worked in the auto repair business. In 1962 he moved to California. On August 28, 1964 Donald married Lorraine Glenn in Reno, NV. They moved to Edwards, MN in 1972 where he operated Van's Grocery Store. In the early 1980's to 1986 Donald did over the road trucking for E.W. Wylie out of Fargo, ND. In 1983 the couple moved into Fergus Falls and after retiring, wintered in Apache Junction, AZ.
Donald was a member of American Legion Post 27 of Apache Junction, AZ and the Independent Order of Foresters. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his children, Linda (Kevin) Gerds of Windom, Vicki Van Gerpen of Bloomington, Denise (Dan) Kugler of Underwood, Vicki (Gene) Wichelmann of Forest Lake, Lois (Garry) Condon of New York Mills, JoAnn (Scott) Emery of Rothsay and Glenn Nickelson of Fergus Falls; 20 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lorraine on October 25, 2001; his step-son, Charles Nickelson; sister, Shirley Johnson; and brother-in-law, Robert Johnson.
Funeral Services: 1 PM, Friday, November 18, 2011, at Tonseth Lutheran Church
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at church
Clergy: Pastor Floyd Synstelien
Military Rites: VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post 30
Cemetery: Tonseth Cemetery
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Gerpen, please visit our flower store.