George Julius Gerst

George Gerst Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home, Wapello. Visitation: noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, with family present from 2-5 p.m., funeral home. George Julius Gerst, 92, rural Columbus Junction, died Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, at his home surrounded by his family. Burial will be at Kossuth Cemetery, Mediapolis. A memorial fund has been established for the Wapello Athletic Boosters. Mr. Gerst was born Oct. 21, 1913, in Oakville, the son of Julius and Sarah Knapp Gerst. He married Pauline Howe on Aug. 1, 1936, in Burlington. He graduated from Huron High School in 1934. He was a farmer throughout his life in Des Moines and Louisa counties. During World War II, he was a welder in the shipyards in Long Beach, Calif. He also worked as a welder and pipe fitter with the Plumbers and Pipe fitters Local No. 125 out of Burlington. In addition to being a life member of the union, he was a life member of the Moose, Burlington, and the National Rifleman's Association. He was also a member of the Ducks Unlimited and the Louisa County Cattleman's Association. He enjoyed playing sports both during and after high school. He loved the...[more]

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wkeyes and was a member of the Golden Hawks I Club. He also loved and attended most school sporting events in Wapello. He liked deer hunting and simply enjoyed working especially as he raised Canadian geese and other farm animals and wildlife. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Vonnie Carlson and husband Fred of Wapello, Cathy Eaton and Mike Cardenas and Beth Prior and husband Mike, all of Winfield; two sons, George Gerst Jr. "Bubby" and wife Fran of Lansdale, Pa. and Gary Gerst and wife Janet of Columbus Junction; 29 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; three brothers, Herbert "Dick" Gerst and wife Cleo of Mediapolis, Adolph Gerst and wife Beverly of Burlington and Ernest Gerst and wife Marlene of Burlington; and a sister, Edna Knotts and husband Wilbur of Sperry. He was preceded in death by his parents; three daughters, Joanne Malone and twin daughters; three brothers, Julius, Robert and Otto; and three sisters, Katherine, Esther and Clara.