Donald “Donnie” A. Gerdes Jr., 65, of Thawville passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026 at his residence. He was born on October 7, 1960 in Fairbury, a son of Donald “Pudge” A. and Ramona A. (Zirkle) Gerdes Sr. and they preceded him in death.
Donnie married Sherri Fuoss in Gilman on February 16, 1980 and she survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Amanda (John) Toohill of Onarga; one son, Jacob (Lindsey) Gerdes of Bentenville, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Kailin Gerdes, Nautica McNeely, Hadley Gerdes, Hayden Gerdes, Harper Toohill, Sawyer Toohill, and Paisley Toohill; five sisters, Becky (Gary) Fuoss of Thawville, Kathy (Duane) Menigoz of Onarga, Lisa (Curtis) Bloom of Foosland, Ronne (Sandy) Gerdes of Onarga, and Diane (Larry) Neste of Spooner, Wisconsin.
Donnie was a member of Immaculate Conception/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Gilman. He was also a member of Fur Takers of America.
He lived by the mission statements of two organizations, The Fur Takers of America: “The cruelest thing we can do to wildlife is fail to manage it.” and the US Forest Service: “Caring for the Land and serving people.” He instilled these values into his kids and grandkids. They also carried into his professional life where he retired from EIEC as a forestry foreman.
He loved to share his knowledge with others. In addition to his children and grandchildren he touched many lives through coaching little league, teaching others to hunt, trap, track wild game, and properly and safely maintain trees and so much more.
He loved to cheer on his kids and grandkids in everything they did. The avid outdoorsman somehow coerced Sherri, his partner in all other things, to become his hunting, tracking and trapping partner, traveling with the finest accommodations (tent) near and far, from Colorado mountain tops to Arizona desert.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga.
A visitation will be held prior to the funeral service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. also at the funeral home.
Burial will be at a later date at the Del Rey Cemetery in Onarga.
Memorial may be made to the Iroquois Memorial Hospice or Fair Haven, which provides housing for families of seriously ill patients at no cost.
Please share a memory of Donnie at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
