Obituary for Barbara Ann Gerdes
Barb Gerdes, age 78, of Watertown, SD passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center, surrounded by family. She was born on January 26, 1944 to Frank and Pearl (Latham) Hogan in Milbank, SD. She grew up on the family’s farm and attended Marvin Country School.
On January 27, 1962 she married Al Bendel and was blessed with four children; Dan, Doug, Brian and Belinda.
On October 26, 1972 she married Robert Gerdes and was blessed again with one child, Kendra.
She was a bookkeeper by trade. She held many professions throughout her career. Most know and love her from when she was the General Manager at Super 8 in Sturgis, SD. Once she retired, she moved to Arizona to escape the cold and spend time with numerous siblings. In 2016 she moved back to Watertown and resided at the Hi-Rise.
She was well known for her Christmas treats, especially her fudge. The kids looked forward to their yearly shipment from her.
Barb is survived by her children, Doug Bendel of Granite Falls, MN; Belinda (Michael) Jepsen of Aberdeen, SD and Kendra (Caleb) Wildberger of Watertown, SD; daughter-in-law, Teresa Bendel; her siblings, Darwin Hogan of Florence, SD, Shirley Busk of Lead, SD, Yvonne Hoeke of Lake Norden, SD, Mike (Lyle Stephens) Hogan of Sonoita, AZ and Donnie Hogan of Sierra Vista, AZ; her grandchildren Jen (Ian) Miller, Leslie Bendel, Sandra Bendel, Bryant (Savanna Young) Bendel, Doug Bendel Jr, Branden (Hannah) Jepsen, Amanda Jepsen, Bridgette Bendel, Blake (Kevin Burkhart) Bendel, Janessa Wildberger, Tannalee Wildberger and Callan Wildberger; 17 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Pearl and Frank Hogan; her husband, Bob Gerdes; two sons Dan Bendel and Brian Bendel; siblings, Jim Hogan, Kay Voeltz, Sonny Hogan and Betty Saeger.
PLEASE NOTE DATES: Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown with Pastor Jerod Jordan officiating.
On Saturday, May, 27, 2023 Burial will be held at Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Summit, SD followed by Celebration of Life; all friends and family (near and far) are invited as we celebrate the life and impact Barb had on this world.
On January 27, 1962 she married Al Bendel and was blessed with four children; Dan, Doug, Brian and Belinda.
On October 26, 1972 she married Robert Gerdes and was blessed again with one child, Kendra.
She was a bookkeeper by trade. She held many professions throughout her career. Most know and love her from when she was the General Manager at Super 8 in Sturgis, SD. Once she retired, she moved to Arizona to escape the cold and spend time with numerous siblings. In 2016 she moved back to Watertown and resided at the Hi-Rise.
She was well known for her Christmas treats, especially her fudge. The kids looked forward to their yearly shipment from her.
Barb is survived by her children, Doug Bendel of Granite Falls, MN; Belinda (Michael) Jepsen of Aberdeen, SD and Kendra (Caleb) Wildberger of Watertown, SD; daughter-in-law, Teresa Bendel; her siblings, Darwin Hogan of Florence, SD, Shirley Busk of Lead, SD, Yvonne Hoeke of Lake Norden, SD, Mike (Lyle Stephens) Hogan of Sonoita, AZ and Donnie Hogan of Sierra Vista, AZ; her grandchildren Jen (Ian) Miller, Leslie Bendel, Sandra Bendel, Bryant (Savanna Young) Bendel, Doug Bendel Jr, Branden (Hannah) Jepsen, Amanda Jepsen, Bridgette Bendel, Blake (Kevin Burkhart) Bendel, Janessa Wildberger, Tannalee Wildberger and Callan Wildberger; 17 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Pearl and Frank Hogan; her husband, Bob Gerdes; two sons Dan Bendel and Brian Bendel; siblings, Jim Hogan, Kay Voeltz, Sonny Hogan and Betty Saeger.
PLEASE NOTE DATES: Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown with Pastor Jerod Jordan officiating.
On Saturday, May, 27, 2023 Burial will be held at Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Summit, SD followed by Celebration of Life; all friends and family (near and far) are invited as we celebrate the life and impact Barb had on this world.