Gerhardt G. Gebhardt

Gerhardt G. “Tiny” Gebhardt, 75, of Ellendale, ND formerly of Merricourt, ND was born September 4, 1933, in Potsdam Township near Merricourt. He was the son of Samuel and Rachel (Bollinger) Gebhardt. He was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church, Merricourt. Tiny was raised on the family farm, helped his father with the farming operation and later acquired his own land and machinery. In 1972, he met Joyce Gerber of Aberdeen, SD and June 28, 1975, they were married at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. Tiny became a father to Joyce’s four children and continued farming until he retired in 1996. In July 2005 Tiny and Joyce sold their farmstead and moved into Ellendale. Tiny died November 7, 2008, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen. Tiny enjoyed playing the accordion, spending hours playing for public functions. He played without music, never repeating a song or making mistakes. He also enjoyed lending a helping hand whenever needed. Tiny was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Ellendale and served on Potsdam Township Board, Merricourt Fire Department, Dakota Plains Credit Union Advisory Board, Dickey County Township Association, Dickey County Commissioner, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Monango as an elder, Prince of Peace Advisory Board and Dickey County FSA Committee. Survivors include his wife: Joyce Gebhardt, Ellendale, ND; four step-children: Denise (Jon) Beusen, Potomac, MD, Devern (Cathy) Gerber, Logan, UT, Clyde (Nancy) Gerber, Mendota Heights, MN, Roxanne (Allen) Heiden, Phoenix, AZ; four step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; one brother: Darwin (Karen) Gebhardt, Oakes, ND; one niece: Amanda (Nick) Fitzgerald, Minneapolis, MN; one nephew: Matthew Gebhardt, Jamestown, ND; many cousins and friends. Tiny was preceded in death by his parents. The funeral service is 10:30am Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Ellendale, with Pastor Tyson Labuhn officiating. Visitation is 3-6:30pm Tuesday and prayer service at 5:30pm at Hoven Funeral Chapel. Visitation is also one hour prior to the service at the church. Casket Bearers: Duane Svalstad, Matthew Gebhardt, Amanda Gebhardt-Fitzgerald, Nicholas Fitzgerald, Damien Krueger, Tim Kappenman, Edwin Alan Rietz, Jon Beusen, Allen Heiden, Stan Gonsoir. Organist: Marilyn Burow, Soloist: Wayne Fiechtner. Memorials may be sent to the Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund, PO Box 793, Ellendale, ND 58436 and the Ellendale Area Scholarship Fund which can be made online through the North Dakota Community Foundation http://www.ndcf.net. Arrangements by: Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale, ND. www.hovenfuneralchapel.com