BENNIE GERDES, of Worthington, Minnesota joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in his heavenly home on December 3, 2017.  He peacefully passed away at home, surrounded by family members, at the age of 93.

   Bennie was born April 7, 1924 near Fulda, Minnesota, to George and Minnie Gerdes, and lived on the family farm until moving to Worthington as a young man.  He married Verla Williams in 1945, and except for a short period of time in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, they have resided in Worthington.

   Bennie was an honest, hard-working man, driving semi-truck 36 years for Murphy Motors, until retiring in 1982.  During his trucking years, he also farmed and continued farming for many more years.  He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a faithful leader in his church, and was an avid hunter and snowmobiler.

   Bennie was preceded in death by his parents and 14 siblings.  He is survived by Verla, his loving wife of 72 years, 3 daughters, Marvene (Daniel) Dettman, Vonda (Butch) Niemann, Jureen (Bob) Millsaps, a son, Loren (Nancy), ten grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.  He is further survived by one brother, Ernest, and many nieces and nephews.

      Bennie will be greatly missed but we rejoice that he is home with Jesus and totally whole.  He faithfully completed his race and has joined that great cloud of witnesses in heaven, cheering all of us on in our own journey to our heavenly home. His greatest passion for family and friends was that each one would love and serve Jesus Christ, joining him in heaven one day.

   Visitation will be at the Dingmann Funeral Home, 1545 N. McMillan, in Worthington, Monday, December 18 from 4 to 7 P.M.  His celebration of life service will be Tuesday, December 19, at 10:30 AM at Solid Rock Assembly, 1730 Diagonal Rd., Worthington.  Visitation will precede the service at 9:30 A.M.  Interment will be at Garden of Memories Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts received will be given to missions, which he passionately supported.

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