Arthur Gjerde

FORT RIPLEY -- Arthur Gjerde, 83 year old resident of Fort Ripley, Minn., died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at St. Mathias Catholic Church in St. Mathias, Minn., with the Rev. Glenn Frerichs officiating. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Camp Ripley. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn. and from 9-10 a.m. on Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be said at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral chapel.

Arthur Gjerde was born Sept. 5, 1920, in Warren, Minn., to the late Ole and Maud (Peterson) Gjerde. He grew up and attended school in the Warren, Minn. On March 28, 1945, he joined the United States Army and received an honorable discharge on Oct. 20, 1946. During his stay he received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and Japan Meritorious Unit Award. After his discharge he began working for himself as an independent trucker and mechanic, which he did for 44 years until retiring. In 1970 he married Idell Airhart in Watertown, S.D. They resided in Fort Ripley, Minn.

He enjoyed restoring old cars and old tractors. He was a member of the Two Cylinder Club, Lone Eagle Car Club, St. Mathias Catholic Church and the Million Mile Club.

He is survived by his son Mark Gjerde and his wife Vicky of Rush City, Minn.; stepson, George W. Gaddis and his wife Dorothy of Villa Grove, Ill.; stepdaughters, Irene Diepenbrock and her husband Richard of Lake City, Minn., and Mildred Shelby and husband James of Waterford, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his wife Idell, on May 5, 2002, parents, and brothers, Ed Gjerde and Orville Gjerde.

Casket bearers will be Glenn Gjerde, Al Will, Tracy Gaddis, Don Adams, Anna Gjerde and Troy Gjerde.

Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel.