Norman C. Gjerde

Norman Gjerde, age 72, of Sunburg, died Thursday, June 4, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

An outdoor service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at East Norway Lake Lutheran Church in rural New London. The service will be broadcast over the radio for those who wish to remain in their vehicles. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery with military honors by Robert Ihlang American Legion Post 537 of New London. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, www.hafh.org.

Norman Clarence Gjerde was born December 25, 1947, in Benson, Minnesota, the son of Clarence and Nora (Mithaugen) Gjerde. He was baptized and confirmed at Monson Lake Lutheran Church. He grew up in the Sunburg area and moved to the family farm at age three. He graduated from Kerkhoven-Sunburg High School in 1965 and attended Willmar Community College. Norman served stateside in the US Air Force from 1967 to 1971. On May 5, 1973, he married Pamela Tjernagel at East Norway Lake Lutheran Church. They lived in Minneapolis for a short time before moving to the Gjerde family farm near Sunburg, which Norman farmed until his retirement. Norman and Pam enjoyed spending the winter months in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Norman was a member of East Norway Lake Lutheran Church and served on the church council and as president of the cemetery board. He was a member and treasurer for the West Central Dark House Association, and member and secretary of the Kandiyohi Corn Growers Association. He was also a member of Robert Ihlang American Legion Post 537 and the Sunburg Trolls Car Club with his 1970 Chevelle. He enjoyed playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren, always having candy for them. Norman will be remembered as a hard-working, compassionate, kind, and generous man who was concerned for others. He had a good sense of humor and enjoyed a joke or a laugh.

He is survived by his wife: Pamela Gjerde of Sunburg; three children: Jennifer Gjerde of Willmar, Kari Gjerde of Marshall, and Michael (and Ingrid) Gjerde of Sunburg; four granddaughters: Brooklyn Monson, Madison Lee, Ivy Gjerde and Bergen Gjerde; two brothers: Merle (and Barbara) Gjerde of New London and Martin (and Diane) Gjerde of Brooten; a brother-in-law: Steven (and Wendy) Tjernagel of Farmington; his nieces, nephews, and cousins; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.