Gerdes, Phillip Paul

Phillip Paul Gerdes, 70, died Tuesday Sept. 27, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello. The Rev. Darryl Larson will officiate at the service. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello. Internment will be at the Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Phillip's name.

Surviving are his wife, Connie; two children, Tricia (Tim) Lambert of Monticello, and Justin (Nicole) Gerdes of Cedar Rapids; one sister, Sharon (Mark) Helle of Cedar Rapids; one brother, Stuart (Kathy) of Monticello; five grandchildren, Madison, Luke, Gavin, Griffin and Jack; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Grant Edward Gerdes.

Phillip Paul Gerdes was born April 22, 1941, in Monticello, Iowa. He was the son of Paul G. and Mildred Arduser Gerdes. Phillip graduated from Monticello High School with the class of 1959. He served in the Army from 1966 until 1968. On Nov. 18, 1972, Phillip Gerdes and Connie Sage were united in marriage at St. Wenceslaus in Cedar Rapids, where he served on the church council. Phillip was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, was part of the Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years, a past Jaycees president and was a member of the Jones County Fair Board. Phillip was a long time business owner and a lifelong resident of Monticello.

Phillip was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and will be missed dearly by those closest to him.

Published in The Gazette Sept. 28, 2011