1965
Gary
2016
Gary Gerdin
June 2, 1965 — May 23, 2016
On Monday, May 23rd, 2016, the life force we knew and loved as Gary Gene Gerdin, 50, ascended to the next level of existence rather than be confined to a failing physical shell. His spirit, now free, roams the universe, seeking the truths he always imagined were '…out there.', '…going where no man has gone before'. No doubt he's enjoying BBQ ribs with Leonard Nimoy and Gene Roddenberry discussing the evolution of the Sci-Fi genre, or, having a sweet tea while debating the finer points of the 'Big Bang Theory' with Albert Einstein…the reference being to the popular TV show!
Gary was born June 2, 1965, the third and youngest child of Josefa 'Pepi' and Walt Gerdin, in Monchengladbach, Germany. From the beginning, being of half-Puerto Rican and half-Swedish decent, and carrying dual German and American citizenship, Gary's life was never going to be typical.
In 1966, the family moved from Germany to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where Walt retired in 1972, following a 22 year career in the United States Air Force. Unlike his older brother and sister, Gary grew up in one town and attended Kindergarten through Sr. High in one school system….graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1983. Gary was a tremendously likeable fellow, he made friends easily, and through the years developed a core of very close, lifelong friends, with whom he spent many idyllic Jr. and Sr. high school summers doing all manner of 'fun stuff', including being an Elks Clown Club parade 'clown', becoming a proficient fire-stick juggler, a competent water skier, and was a mischievous camper at Elks Point on Wall Lake.
Following in the footsteps of his father and older brother, Frank, Gary proudly served his country for 13 years as a Munitions System Craftsman, assembling, processing, and loading non-nuclear munitions. He deployed to Iraq during Desert Storm and also served at Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan and Kunsan AFB, South Korea. His final base posting was Hill AFB in Utah, where he left the Air Force in 1998.
Gary loved Utah and settled in Salt Lake City, beginning his second career with the US Postal Service in 1999. He loved to ski, and enjoyed the mountains every chance he could. He liked that there were 4 distinct seasons—but none of them extreme. It was there he made another lifelong friend, Shaun Mendelkow, with whom he shared his enjoyment of hockey and with whom he became involved in the table top fantasy gaming world of Dungeons and Dragons. During this period, Gary found an artistic outlet, creating…and even selling…painted pewter miniatures. His writing skills were honed when he and Shaun created improvisational and tactical game strategies as Dungeon Masters within their 'party'.
'Home' called to him in 2003, when, a few years following the death of his father in 1996, Gary returned to the Wahpeton, ND area to assist in the support and care of his mother, Pepi, transferring to the US Postal Service operation in Fargo, ND. Being closer to where he grew up, Gary reconnected quickly with old friends and extended family down by the Twin Cities. While he didn't care for the sub-zero temperatures (who does!)…after 5 years of driving up and down Hwy 75 every day for work, he was content enough to purchase a home in Moorhead, MN, in 2007, and settle down to the life of a confirmed bachelor.
When his mother passed away in 2010, Gary remained in Moorhead, where he was closer to his sister, Patsy, and his best friend, Steve Rasmussen (Melrose, MN), who introduced him to the world of sled dog racing, involving him as a dog handler in the 2005 Iditarod Race in Alaska. He was a great neighbor and regularly participated in cul-de-sac fire pit gatherings, contributing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, double fudge brownies, or whatever he was cooking or baking up that day. He enjoyed barbequing on his deck, where the neighbors regularly saw one of his Sun Tea jugs filled and steeping in the sun year round. He tried gardening, but in recent years, had adopted a more natural approach—to the amusement of some, and consternation of others; where others saw weeds, Gary saw his contribution to environmental retrogression.
A voracious reader, he filled much of his time reading or listening to all types of literature from---Mickey Spillane and Jim Butcher to William Shakespeare, Gary surrounded himself with audio/visual equipment and materials, books, DVD's, CD's, and he was an avid on-line gamer—a 'sport' at which he and Shaun dedicated many hours of on-line training. He loved his computers and the WEB for all the access it gave him to everything, and yet he was a staunch supporter of—and frequent visitor to--the Fargo Library. He wore out 7 iPods in 10 years listening to music, pod casts, and audio books while he worked, while he drove, while he relaxed. He loved graphic comic books, and became an avid collector of all things NEC (The TICK), Marvel, DC, or Sci-Fi—his favorite being anything by Joss Whedon, in particular, the TV series "Firefly" and it's movie spin off "Serenity", attending annual showings in Mpls. He had begun traveling to Wizard Con and Comic Con events, collecting autographs from favorite actors---meeting Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) and Gillian Anderson (X-Files) recently in Minneapolis. His collection included signed photos of Nathan Fillion and Summer Glau (both of 'Firefly' and 'Castle' fame). His largest collection, though, was his wardrobe of 'wearable' memorabilia, consisting of over 50 t-shirts emblazoned with logos and sayings from all his favorite comics, movies, TV shows, and cartoon characters. Gary's wit was cutting; his written reviews of music, movies, and books, were either scathing or hilarious…..and sometimes both! We had hoped one day he would turn that brilliant mind to writing his own pod-cast or sci-fi book…alas, he left us too soon.
As you may surmise, Gary was unique in his view of life. There is no way to adequately describe, in this brief forum, the many facets of this man. Suffice it to say, he danced to the beat of his own drum…and those of us who were privileged to share that beat with him from time-to-time, will miss him greatly, for he was an influence on our lives….sometimes funny, sometimes startling, always impactful.
Gary is survived by his sister, Patsy (Leslie) Willemssen, ND, nephew/Godson Adam (Monica) Willemssen, Virginia; his brother, Frank (Tami) Gerdin, NM, nieces, Mariah (Tony) Geppi, Virginia, and Brandy (Ted) Lovesky, Florida, two great nieces – Saiann and Leddy Mae (Mariah), and one great nephew – Donovan (Brandy); his 'brother-by-another-mother' Steve 'Razz' Rasmussen, his wife Sandy, and their daughters – Samantha, Sydney, and Stephanie. He will be missed by many, including several Aunts, Uncles, and many cousins in Minnesota, Florida, Puerto Rico, California, and the Philippines; and his God-daughter, Melody Lackey (Julie, Alaska).
Knowing he would not want a traditional funeral, yet wanting to offer family and friends a way to mourn his passing, we invite you to participate in his memorial in one of several ways:
• For those who are far away, Gary would rather you stay put and remember him by donning your favorite super-hero t-shirt, hoisting a beer, sitting around a fire pit, and sending good thoughts out to the universe.
• If you are near and would like to join us, there will be a Memorial Gathering & Party on Friday, June 10th, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN. From 3pm – 4pm, there will be a formal sharing in the Gathering space; from 4pm to 7pm, there will be fellowship, informal shared stories, and favorite foods served in the Life Event Center of the funeral home. Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite super-hero or sci-fi t-shirt to the Gathering….no ties, please.
• If you are unable to attend, there will be on-line videos and postings uploaded to both the funeral home website www.glendenilson.com and Facebook, where they will remain indefinitely for all to share. Please be sure to sign the Guest Book.
In lieu of burial, his ashes will be scattered to the four winds by his closest family and friends in a private gathering on Saturday, June 11th.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to your local public library, or perhaps planting a tree or a garden, and think of him from time to time……
Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls, Minnesota has been entrusted with serving surviving family and friends.
"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar" Wash (from "Serenity")
Gary's Memorial Folder
Gary's Acknowledgement Card
Gary was born June 2, 1965, the third and youngest child of Josefa 'Pepi' and Walt Gerdin, in Monchengladbach, Germany. From the beginning, being of half-Puerto Rican and half-Swedish decent, and carrying dual German and American citizenship, Gary's life was never going to be typical.
In 1966, the family moved from Germany to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where Walt retired in 1972, following a 22 year career in the United States Air Force. Unlike his older brother and sister, Gary grew up in one town and attended Kindergarten through Sr. High in one school system….graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1983. Gary was a tremendously likeable fellow, he made friends easily, and through the years developed a core of very close, lifelong friends, with whom he spent many idyllic Jr. and Sr. high school summers doing all manner of 'fun stuff', including being an Elks Clown Club parade 'clown', becoming a proficient fire-stick juggler, a competent water skier, and was a mischievous camper at Elks Point on Wall Lake.
Following in the footsteps of his father and older brother, Frank, Gary proudly served his country for 13 years as a Munitions System Craftsman, assembling, processing, and loading non-nuclear munitions. He deployed to Iraq during Desert Storm and also served at Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan and Kunsan AFB, South Korea. His final base posting was Hill AFB in Utah, where he left the Air Force in 1998.
Gary loved Utah and settled in Salt Lake City, beginning his second career with the US Postal Service in 1999. He loved to ski, and enjoyed the mountains every chance he could. He liked that there were 4 distinct seasons—but none of them extreme. It was there he made another lifelong friend, Shaun Mendelkow, with whom he shared his enjoyment of hockey and with whom he became involved in the table top fantasy gaming world of Dungeons and Dragons. During this period, Gary found an artistic outlet, creating…and even selling…painted pewter miniatures. His writing skills were honed when he and Shaun created improvisational and tactical game strategies as Dungeon Masters within their 'party'.
'Home' called to him in 2003, when, a few years following the death of his father in 1996, Gary returned to the Wahpeton, ND area to assist in the support and care of his mother, Pepi, transferring to the US Postal Service operation in Fargo, ND. Being closer to where he grew up, Gary reconnected quickly with old friends and extended family down by the Twin Cities. While he didn't care for the sub-zero temperatures (who does!)…after 5 years of driving up and down Hwy 75 every day for work, he was content enough to purchase a home in Moorhead, MN, in 2007, and settle down to the life of a confirmed bachelor.
When his mother passed away in 2010, Gary remained in Moorhead, where he was closer to his sister, Patsy, and his best friend, Steve Rasmussen (Melrose, MN), who introduced him to the world of sled dog racing, involving him as a dog handler in the 2005 Iditarod Race in Alaska. He was a great neighbor and regularly participated in cul-de-sac fire pit gatherings, contributing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, double fudge brownies, or whatever he was cooking or baking up that day. He enjoyed barbequing on his deck, where the neighbors regularly saw one of his Sun Tea jugs filled and steeping in the sun year round. He tried gardening, but in recent years, had adopted a more natural approach—to the amusement of some, and consternation of others; where others saw weeds, Gary saw his contribution to environmental retrogression.
A voracious reader, he filled much of his time reading or listening to all types of literature from---Mickey Spillane and Jim Butcher to William Shakespeare, Gary surrounded himself with audio/visual equipment and materials, books, DVD's, CD's, and he was an avid on-line gamer—a 'sport' at which he and Shaun dedicated many hours of on-line training. He loved his computers and the WEB for all the access it gave him to everything, and yet he was a staunch supporter of—and frequent visitor to--the Fargo Library. He wore out 7 iPods in 10 years listening to music, pod casts, and audio books while he worked, while he drove, while he relaxed. He loved graphic comic books, and became an avid collector of all things NEC (The TICK), Marvel, DC, or Sci-Fi—his favorite being anything by Joss Whedon, in particular, the TV series "Firefly" and it's movie spin off "Serenity", attending annual showings in Mpls. He had begun traveling to Wizard Con and Comic Con events, collecting autographs from favorite actors---meeting Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) and Gillian Anderson (X-Files) recently in Minneapolis. His collection included signed photos of Nathan Fillion and Summer Glau (both of 'Firefly' and 'Castle' fame). His largest collection, though, was his wardrobe of 'wearable' memorabilia, consisting of over 50 t-shirts emblazoned with logos and sayings from all his favorite comics, movies, TV shows, and cartoon characters. Gary's wit was cutting; his written reviews of music, movies, and books, were either scathing or hilarious…..and sometimes both! We had hoped one day he would turn that brilliant mind to writing his own pod-cast or sci-fi book…alas, he left us too soon.
As you may surmise, Gary was unique in his view of life. There is no way to adequately describe, in this brief forum, the many facets of this man. Suffice it to say, he danced to the beat of his own drum…and those of us who were privileged to share that beat with him from time-to-time, will miss him greatly, for he was an influence on our lives….sometimes funny, sometimes startling, always impactful.
Gary is survived by his sister, Patsy (Leslie) Willemssen, ND, nephew/Godson Adam (Monica) Willemssen, Virginia; his brother, Frank (Tami) Gerdin, NM, nieces, Mariah (Tony) Geppi, Virginia, and Brandy (Ted) Lovesky, Florida, two great nieces – Saiann and Leddy Mae (Mariah), and one great nephew – Donovan (Brandy); his 'brother-by-another-mother' Steve 'Razz' Rasmussen, his wife Sandy, and their daughters – Samantha, Sydney, and Stephanie. He will be missed by many, including several Aunts, Uncles, and many cousins in Minnesota, Florida, Puerto Rico, California, and the Philippines; and his God-daughter, Melody Lackey (Julie, Alaska).
Knowing he would not want a traditional funeral, yet wanting to offer family and friends a way to mourn his passing, we invite you to participate in his memorial in one of several ways:
• For those who are far away, Gary would rather you stay put and remember him by donning your favorite super-hero t-shirt, hoisting a beer, sitting around a fire pit, and sending good thoughts out to the universe.
• If you are near and would like to join us, there will be a Memorial Gathering & Party on Friday, June 10th, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN. From 3pm – 4pm, there will be a formal sharing in the Gathering space; from 4pm to 7pm, there will be fellowship, informal shared stories, and favorite foods served in the Life Event Center of the funeral home. Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite super-hero or sci-fi t-shirt to the Gathering….no ties, please.
• If you are unable to attend, there will be on-line videos and postings uploaded to both the funeral home website www.glendenilson.com and Facebook, where they will remain indefinitely for all to share. Please be sure to sign the Guest Book.
In lieu of burial, his ashes will be scattered to the four winds by his closest family and friends in a private gathering on Saturday, June 11th.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to your local public library, or perhaps planting a tree or a garden, and think of him from time to time……
Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls, Minnesota has been entrusted with serving surviving family and friends.
"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar" Wash (from "Serenity")
Gary's Memorial Folder
Gary's Acknowledgement Card
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Gerdin, please visit our flower store.