Evelyn Rose Gerdes

Evelyn Rose Lydia (Konold) Gerdes was born August 29, 1921 to William and Martha Konold in Avoca, Minnesota, the eleventh of twelve children. She attended grade school in Avoca, and moved with her family to Worthington, Minnesota in 1938. She made salads at the Thompson Hotel until she married Arnold Gerdes on January 19, 1942. They settled on a farm near Round Lake, Minnesota. They had two children, Karon and Lowell (Butch). In 1962 they got out of farming and moved to acreage in Sioux Valley, Minnesota. In 1969 they relocated again, this time to Lake Park, Iowa, where they remained. Evelyn spent most of her life as a wife and full time homemaker. After her children were grown, she kept busy by doing some part time painting and wallpapering of homes, working in cafes, and assisting elderly people with their housekeeping. She was actively involved in the Sioux Valley American Legion Auxiliary, Concordia Lutheran Church, Silver Lake Cemetery Society, the area Singles Group, the Meals on Wheels program, and the Concordia Guild. She enjoyed growing flowers, bowling, golfing, playing bingo and card games, and visiting with friends. Evelyn passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2009 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at eighty seven years of age. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, five brothers and four sisters. She is survived by her children, Karon Gubbrud of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Lowell (Twyla) Gerdes of Omaha, Nebraska; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by two siblings, many nieces and nephews, and dozens of friends.