Robert Gerding

Robert F. "Bob" Gerding, age 76, of Melrose, died Sunday, November 30, 2008 surrounded by his loving family at his home in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 4 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. followed by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7:30 p.m. and Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council and St. Peter & Paul Court 1908 Catholic Order of Foresters at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Bob was born December 13, 1931 in Elrosa, Minnesota to Hubert and Rose (Deters) Gerding. He married Rita Elfering on July 9, 1957 in Freeport, MN. Bob served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. Returning to St. Paul, Bob worked at Par Aide Products for 43 years and retired in 1994. In 1997 Bob and Rita moved back to Melrose. He enjoyed playing golf, dancing and spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends.Bob was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, the Elrosa Senior Group, Sts. Bernard & Elizabeth Council of Melrose, St. Peter & Paul Court 1908 Catholic Order of Foresters of Elrosa and the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 of Melrose.

Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Rita Gerding of Melrose; children, Randy (Laurie) Gerding of White Bear Lake, MN, Perry (Kandi) Gerding of Blaine, MN and Kim Isaacson of White Bear Lake, MN; grandchildren, Jenny, Bobby, Joe, Angie, Luke and Libby; brothers and sister, Elmer Gerding of Meire Grove, Lillian Schoenberg of Greenwald, Ray (Mary Ann) Gerding of Cold Spring and Reuben (Valaria) Gerding of Elrosa; and sister-in-law, Tillie Gerding of Cold Spring.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Bernice and Bertha Gerding; and brother, Wilfred.

A special thanks to family, friends, St. Cloud Hospice, Dr. Kurt Schwieters, Fr. Vince Lieser and Fr. Ken Thielman for their special care and support.

Serving casket bearers will be Jim Schoenberg, Mike Gerding, Scott Gerding, Dave Gerding, Joe Gerding and Bobby Gerding. Cross bearer will be Luke Gerding and scripture bearer will be Angie Gerding. Honorary bearers will be George Traeger, Bud Moening, Dick Van Beck, Allen Dufner, Herbie Welle and Gilbert Klaphake.