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- [S927] Obituary.
neral services for Gerhardt Melvin Gutjahr, 82, Aberdeen will be 10:30 am, Monday, February 25, 2013 at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 431 W. Melgaard Road, Aberdeen. Pastor Jill Warner will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Military honors by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post #24. Gerhardt died on Friday, February 22 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.
Visitation is from 1:00-5:00 pm Sunday, February 24 with a prayer service at 5:00 pm at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main Street, Aberdeen.
Gerhardt Melvin Gutjahr, son of Christian and Emma (Preszler) Gutjahr was born on April 29, 1930 on the family farm near Hosmer. This is the area where he was raised and attended country school. He worked on the family farm and for several area farmers prior to his enlistment in the United States Army in 1951. Gerhardt served during the Korean War and received his honorable discharge in November of 1953.
Gerhardt returned to the Hosmer area. He was united in marriage to Betty Job on June 30, 1957 in Hosmer. At this time his parents moved to town and they made their home on the family farm and raised their family. For many years Gerhardt raised dairy cattle, small grains and other livestock. He continued farming until 1993 when he went to work for Spitzer Implement in Roscoe. They remained on the farm until 2000 when they began making their home in Aberdeen. Gerhardt worked odd jobs for several years prior to going to work at Culver's in 2004, retiring in 2010 due to health reasons.
Gerhardt was a former member of the Congregational Church in Hosmer and a current member of Plymouth Congregation United Church of Christ in Aberdeen. Over the years he served as a church Deacon, Sunday School teacher and was the church treasurer. Gerhardt was a member of the Hosmer American Legion, NFO and ministry of Keith Williams. He also served as clerk and supervisor of the Sangamann Township Board.
Gerhardt loved to sing and through the years sang in the church choir and was a member of the men's quartet while attending church in Hosmer. After moving to Aberdeen he became a member of the Friendship Singers in 2005 and sang with them for several years as well. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and together they went on many wonderful vacations including trips to Japan, Europe and many parts of the United States.
Gerhardt was a man of God and lived his life knowing Jesus Christ as his savior. He loved his family and cherished the time he was able to spend with all of his children and grandchildren. Bless be his memory.
Grateful for having shared Gerhardt's life are his wife Betty of Aberdeen, children, Myron (Pokey) Gutjahr, Palm Bay FL; ShirLee Gutjahr, Aberdeen; Gail Gutjahr, Aberdeen; Carla Mentele, Yankton; Mark (Erin) Gutjahr, Aberdeen, three grandchildren, two step grandchildren, two great grand children , five step great grandchildren, two brothers, Reinhold (Elinor) Gutjahr and Arthur (Victoria) Gutjahr and one sister-in-law Peggy Gutjahr.
Gerhardt was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials.
- [S558] South Dakota Marriages, 1905-1949.
Name: Christian E Gutjahr
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Birth Year: abt 1897
Residence Post Office: Homer
Residence Place: Edmunds
Marriage Date: 30 Nov 1920
Marriage Place: Edmunds, South Dakota, USA
Certificate: 79115
Registration Number: 1311
Spouse: Emma Preszler
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1930 - 2013 (82 years)