Norbert "Norb" Gerads

Norbert “Norb” Gerads, age 90 of Freeport died peacefully on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Dan Walz officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Friday at the church in Freeport.

Norbert Gerads was born June 25, 1931, in Krain Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Charles and Loretta (Harren) Gerads. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1954 to 1956. He was united in marriage to Mildred Fischer on October 9, 1956, in Albany. The couple farmed north of St. Anthony and owned and operated Norb Gerads Construction before retiring to Freeport in 1992. After retirement, he enjoyed grading, quilting, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport.

Survivors include his children, Leo (Debbie) Gerads of Freeport, Marie (Mike) Meinz of St. Augusta, and Sue (Rob) Jaksa of Plymouth; eight grandchildren, Brittany Schroeder, Moriah Meinz, Jayme, Matt, Abby, and Alex Gerads, and Halle and Cole Jaksa; six great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Frank (Doreen) Gerads of Freeport, Herbie Gerads of Freeport, Gilbert (Carol) Gerads of Freeport, Jake (Judy) Gerads of Freeport, Magdeline “Toots” Schwanke of Waite Park, Betty Bechtold of Sauk Rapids, Loretta (Herbie) Thull of Melrose, Delores Lynn of Waite Park, Sr. Marie Gerads O.S.B. of St. Cloud, and Bertha Herdering of Upsala; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Norb was preceded in death by his wife, Millie Gerads on September 24, 2005; parents; grandson, Shawn Gerads, and brothers, Bernard and Joe Gerads.

Casket bearers will be Jayme Gerads, Alex Gerads, Matt Gerads, Gilbert Gerads, Ralph Gerads, and Pete Gerads. Cross bearer will be Breanna Benner and the scripture bearer will be Moriah Meinz.