Harold Gesme

Harold Casper Gesme, age 90 of Cannon Falls, died peacefully at his residence at Twin Rivers on Monday evening, July 11, 2011. Harold was born on May 9, 1921 in Minneapolis, the son of Casper and Hildu (Jacobson) Gesme. He attended country school through the 8th grade at District #95 (south of Hastings) and his family moved to Cannon Falls in 1936. He graduated from the Cannon Falls High School in 1941. Harold farmed most all of his life, starting with his parents. He married Lila H. Knutson on August 24, 1947 at Moland Lutheran Church in rural Kenyon, and they started farming together. He bought the farm in 1947 and his sons later joined him in the Deerhaven Farm operation. Harold was an active member in his church, St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, where he served on the church c ouncil and ushered for many years. He was also active in the community, serving on the Cannon Falls Township board for 29 years, Cannon Falls Lion's Club for many years, Farmer's Co-op Oil Board for 20 years, Federal Land Bank Board for 20 years, and the Dakota Electric Board for 11 years. He loved farming, his family (especially his grandchildren), dancing with his wife, and spending time socializing with family, neighbors and friends! He is survived by his children, Darlene (Curtis) Burdick of Cannon Falls, Barbara (David) Lamp of Brownton, MN, Keith (Ann) Gesme of Cannon Falls, Roger Gesme of Cannon Falls, and Jean (Kim) Faust of Vasa; 12 grandchildren, Rebecca, Jeff, Missy and Mindy Burdick, Josh (Amber) Lamp, Kelly (Kyle) Otto, Tammi and Mark Gesme, Jenna Gesme, Renae (Chip) Otto, Rachel and Emily Faust; 10 great-grandchildren, Kylie Sindt, Bryce, Ashlynn, Payton, and Avery Lamp, Kendrick, Karter and Kallie Otto, Colton and Clinton Otto; sisters, Elaine Kappedahl of Anoka, Vivian (Willard) Brage-Finch of Cannon Falls, Marjorie Kurtz of Cannon Falls, Luella (James) Chell of Edmonton, Canada, and Nadine Anderson of Cannon Falls; sister-in-law, Georgianna Knutson of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 59 years, Lila on November 7, 2006; sisters, Doris Gesme and Ruth Spillman; brother, Wendell Gesme; sister-in-law, Rose Gesme; brothers-in-law, Leslie Kurtz, Obert Kappedahl, Kenneth Brage, Fillmore Spillman, Duane Anderson and Harland Knutson. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 14 from 5-8 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 15 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, with Pastor Carol Sinykin and Pastor Gary Schulz officiating. Interment will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the burial service at Keith and Ann Gesme's farm (Casper Gesme's home farm) at 28170 Hwy 20 Blvd, Cannon Falls. Active pallbearers will be Jeff Burdick, Josh Lamp, Mark Gesme, Jim Weideman, Kyle and Chip Otto. Honorary pallbearers will be his five children. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer's Association.

Funeral Home: Lundberg Funeral Home 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd Cannon Falls, MN US 55009

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Service
Friday, July 15, 2011
Graveside Service
Friday, July 15, 2011

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