Marlin William Gerdts

Marlin William Gerdts passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on January 26, 2024. Marlin lived a wonderful 90 years, always guided by his strong faith and deep devotion to his family. 

Marlin was born to Walter and Margaret (Mueller) Gerdts on February 12, 1933 in Waseca County, was baptized in the rural Lutheran Church in Waldorf, MN and raised in rural Waldorf as well. He grew up in a Christian household which was the foundation for his 90 years thereafter. Marlin graduated from Waldorf High School in May of 1950. Four years later, he graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter (1954) with a degree in teaching English. 

Fresh out of college, a teaching job in September of 1954 brought Marlin to Slayton Public School in Slayton, MN, where he would then teach English to students not much older than himself! He continued teaching in Slayton, MN until he was drafted into the Army in 1956. After completing basic training at Ft. Chaffee, AR, he then served almost 2 full years at Ft. Buchanan on the island of Puerto Rico, where he taught English to the Puerto Rican troops stationed there. Years later, Marlin would bring his wife and teenage children to Puerto Rico for a family vacation, which included a trip to his old army base. 

After his time in the military, Marlin was hired in 1958 by the Blue Earth School District in Blue Earth, MN. This began a teaching and education career in Blue Earth for the next 45 years. Blue Earth is also where he would meet his future wife and raise his family. Marlin began at the school teaching Senior English as well as being the Drama teacher, Debate coach, Yearbook advisor, and mentor to his students, many of whom would become lifelong friends. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Denver (over the course of several summers of traveling to Colorado), he then returned to Blue Earth to become the school district’s speech pathologist.

One of Marlin’s greatest enjoyments was singing in the church choir at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blue Earth. His baritone voice and handsome good looks were a perfect match with the young, dark-haired church organist and on August 25, 1973, Marlin married Diane (Peter) at St. Paul’s Lutheran, where they first met. 

The marriage of Marlin and Diane, along with a daughter born in 1977 (Jaclyn) and twin sons born in 1979 (Peter & Robert) began the next chapter and the second half of his 90 years. Marlin was a devoted husband and father and he put his family first in everything he did.

By 1989, Marlin retired from teaching, but was subsequently re-hired by the Blue Earth School District as a computer technician for the school. Marlin loved working with computers, so being able to bring his knowledge to this new position at the school was the perfect fit. Marlin was an integral part of the Apple Classroom of Tomorrow, in which the Apple Computer company used two test schools (one of which was the Blue Earth Area Elementary School) to bring computers into the classroom as learning tools. Marlin was a part of this ground-breaking experiment which would lead schools across the United States to use computers in the classrooms.

Marlin and Diane left Blue Earth in 1998 after Marlin’s second retirement from the school district and they moved to Lake City, MN, trading in a house on the hill for a house overlooking the lake. Marlin and Diane eventually moved to Minneapolis, MN for the summer months (near their two sons and their families) and, as snowbirds often do, live in Phoenix, AZ during the winter months (near their daughter and her family). 

In addition to his career and family time, Marlin enjoyed wood-working, gardening, and those who knew him well will always remember his beautiful cross stitch art work. After retirement, he could always be found with a needle and thread in his hand. 

Throughout a 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s, Marlin never stopped smiling, never stopped loving and caring, and never stopped being courageous and strong. His undeniable faith and trust in the Lord, along with his immense love for his family, gave Marlin continued strength even amid the confusion. Until his final days here on earth, Marlin would continue to remember hymn verses and The Lord’s Prayer, a true testament to his foundation in Christ.

Marlin is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane (Peter) Gerdts, his three children and their families: Jaci and Kyle Olsen (Grady, Grant), Peter and Ellen Gerdts (William, Meara, Valeria), Rob and Katie Gerdts (Nolan, Noelle), sisters and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Erna and her husband Erv Eichhorst, brother Willard and his wife Marilyn Gerdts, and sister-in-law Jude Coates Peter.

We would love for you to join our family in honoring Marlin and celebrating his eternal life with Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 30th, 2024. A time of visitation will be held from 10:30AM-12:00PM at Patton Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Elmore from 1-2PM. Celebration of Eternal Life will begin at 2PM. The service will be live-streamed. Burial will take place in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Reception to follow at the Elmore Legion Post 192 (MinnIowa Club House) where we will raise a Manhattan glass to our dad, husband to Diane, and dear friend to so many, Marlin W. Gerdts.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4