1947
Earl
2007
Earl Gerbracht
October 13, 1947 — April 18, 2007
Earl Russell "Red" Gerbracht, age 59 of Cannon Falls, died on Wednesday afternoon, April 18, 2007 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester.
Earl was born on October 13, 1947 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the son of George W. and Lucille (Petit) Gerbracht. He grew up south of Prairie City, SD and was raised by his grandparents, Russell and Eleanor Gerbracht.
Earl married Kathy Grace Moore on August 16, 1966 at Sundance, Wyoming. They lived in various towns in South Dakota before moving to Minnesota in 1968.
Earl was a man of many talents, and was a jack of all trades. He apprenticed as a carpenter, and worked as a welder, for about 8 years. He was a factory worker in the area, including Point of Sales (now Cannon Equipment) in Cannon Falls. In 1972, they purchased their first home in Cannon Falls, where they raised their family. He worked as a landscaper for Sargent's Nursery in Red Wing and later Braun Turf Farms as a semi driver, retiring in 2005.
In November, 2005, after being diagnosed with leukemia, his dream of moving "back home where he always wanted to be" became a reality. They purchased the Fred Reinoehl ranch in Bison, SD, and were able to spend winters there with his son and family!
He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Kathy of Cannon Falls; children, Sheila (Randy) Fortier of Luling, Louisiana, Todd (Rownea) Gerbracht of Bison, SD and Kandee (David) Stephens of White Rock, MN; 10 grandchildren, Duane, Bryan, Sean and Jessee Fortier, Krista, Samantha and Anthony Gerbracht, Josh (Jenny) Stephens, Michael and Mikalee Stephens; one great-granddaughter, Keira Stephens; father and step-mother, George and Margaret Gerbracht of Bison, SD; brothers, Frank Gerbracht of Hill City, SD and Walter (Virginia) Gerbracht of Faith, SD; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Opheim; grandparents, Russell and Eleanor Gerbracht; infant sister, Eleanor; brother, Dwayne Gerbracht; and sister-in-law, Barbie Gerbracht.
Locally, a visitation will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Gary Titusdahl officiating.
A memorial service and social gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 24 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Zeona, SD, lead by Doug Jerde.
Honorary pallbearers will be his very special friends, and those that called him "Dad."
Earl was born on October 13, 1947 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the son of George W. and Lucille (Petit) Gerbracht. He grew up south of Prairie City, SD and was raised by his grandparents, Russell and Eleanor Gerbracht.
Earl married Kathy Grace Moore on August 16, 1966 at Sundance, Wyoming. They lived in various towns in South Dakota before moving to Minnesota in 1968.
Earl was a man of many talents, and was a jack of all trades. He apprenticed as a carpenter, and worked as a welder, for about 8 years. He was a factory worker in the area, including Point of Sales (now Cannon Equipment) in Cannon Falls. In 1972, they purchased their first home in Cannon Falls, where they raised their family. He worked as a landscaper for Sargent's Nursery in Red Wing and later Braun Turf Farms as a semi driver, retiring in 2005.
In November, 2005, after being diagnosed with leukemia, his dream of moving "back home where he always wanted to be" became a reality. They purchased the Fred Reinoehl ranch in Bison, SD, and were able to spend winters there with his son and family!
He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Kathy of Cannon Falls; children, Sheila (Randy) Fortier of Luling, Louisiana, Todd (Rownea) Gerbracht of Bison, SD and Kandee (David) Stephens of White Rock, MN; 10 grandchildren, Duane, Bryan, Sean and Jessee Fortier, Krista, Samantha and Anthony Gerbracht, Josh (Jenny) Stephens, Michael and Mikalee Stephens; one great-granddaughter, Keira Stephens; father and step-mother, George and Margaret Gerbracht of Bison, SD; brothers, Frank Gerbracht of Hill City, SD and Walter (Virginia) Gerbracht of Faith, SD; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Opheim; grandparents, Russell and Eleanor Gerbracht; infant sister, Eleanor; brother, Dwayne Gerbracht; and sister-in-law, Barbie Gerbracht.
Locally, a visitation will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Gary Titusdahl officiating.
A memorial service and social gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 24 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Zeona, SD, lead by Doug Jerde.
Honorary pallbearers will be his very special friends, and those that called him "Dad."
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