Individual Details

Census (family)

14 GERDES JOHN H 29 IA H GERDES, GEORGE 55 GER WESSELS, LOTTIE 53 GER IA
15 GERDES ANNA 26 IA W KANKE, HENRY GER JOHNSON, ANTJEE GERGER
16 GERDES HAROLD 4 IA S      IA
17 GERDES GLENN 2 IA S      IA
18 KNAKE HENRY 59 GER H KNAKE, HENRY F GER ROHLFS, ANNE M GER GER

Census (family)

Father-in-law Henry Knake M 60 Germany 3x, widowed,
Head John H Gerdis M 34 Iowa Germany Germany, married
Wife Anna M Gerdis F 32 Iowa, Germany Germany, married
Son Glen R Gerdis M 7 Iowa IA IA
Daughter Loreta M Gerdis F 3 Iowa IA IA
Daughter Helen J Gerdis F 0 Iowa IA IA

Death

Funeral Of John H. Gerdes Held
In Castle Grove Township Wed.
Many relatives and friends were in attendance at the funeral of John Henry Gerdes, which was held at SS. Peter and Paul Lutheran church in Castle Grove township at one o'clock yesterday afternoon with Rev. Arnold Thalacker
in charge. This was preceded by short services at the family home in Monticello at 12:15. Mr. Gerdes' body was laid to rest in the cemetery near the church.
 He was a native of Jones county and was born near Langworthy August 24, 1895. His parents were George and Charlotte (Wessels) Gerdes.   A year later the family moved to Strawberry Point where John spent the early years of his life and attended the rural schools.  It was here that he assisted his father with the farm work. He entered the service of
the United States army during the World war, July 25, 1918, and was a member of Company K of the Fourth United States infantry in the third division. In September of that year he was sent to France. Following the Armistice he signed
up to remain in France with the army of occupation and did not return to this country until August, 1919.
Marriage
In 1920 Mr. Gerdes was married to Anna Knake of Castle Grove township. They spent the first seven months of their married life on a farm near Strawberry Point  and thereafter took charge of the Knake farm ; southwest of Monticello.
Five- children .were born to this  union ; Harold; who died at the age  of seven years, Glenn, in the Monticello high school,  an infant son who died soon after birth, Loretta and Helen.
 Mr. Gerdes enjoyed good health until March, 1936, when he became ill and upon the advice of his physician he ceased active farm work.  A year later the family removed to Monticello.  Mr. Gerdes' health remained about the same until last December when a glandular infection sapped his strength.  Three weeks ago he was taken to Strawberry Point where he wished to visit, while regaining his strength.  Matters took a sudden turn for the worse last Friday and his wife was called from Monticello.  He answered the final summons at 2 o'clock Saturday morning.
Church Member
  Throughout his life Mr. Gerdes was a member of the Lutheran church. He was baptized in infancy and confirmed in the Lutheran church of Strawberry Point.  After his removal to Castle Grove township he became an active member of SS. Peter and Paul Lutheran church and served on the church council. On the evening before his death Rev. Jahr of
Strawberry Point administered the Lord's Supper to Mr. Gerdes for the last time.
In addition to his wife and family, Mr. Gerdes is survived by his parents and two brothers, Harm and Henry, all of Strawberry 'Point. The services at the grave were in charge of the Monticello Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Included in the ritual was the firing of volleys over the grave of the deceased veteran, and the sounding of taps as a fitting tribute to a well spent life.
The Monticello Express, pg 1 MARCH 2, 1939]