GERWING: Fred P. Gerwing
July 5, 1931 - July 18, 2013
The family of Fred P. Gerwing sadly announce his passing on July 18 after a lengthy and hard-fought illness. Fred was born in 1931, in Baker, Nebraska, to John and Amalia Gerwing. He came to Lake Lenore when he was two years old and spent a happy life there farming and raising a large family. He attended St. Peter's College in his high school years. Fred married Marie Nakoneshny in 1955 and they worked and played together for over 58 years. "Pa" had a fine tenor voice. He was part of the Annaheim Men's Choir in the '40s and '50s, then part of St. Peter's Chorus, the Bier Tent Gang (where he yodeled), and, most recently, the Marysburg Regional Choir. He led the music at St. Anthony's RC Church in Lake Lenore for decades, directing the Latin midnight mass at every Christmas until his illness took his strength. His voice and leadership will always be remembered. Pa taught us all to play cards and really, really enjoy it. Most of us are happy to play cards for hours at a stretch and still not be tired of it. We learned German phrases: sacred ones from church, less sacred ones from cards. After moving on to the role of farming consultant, Pa loved spending his time fishing at the lake. He tended to his cattle, pigs, and chickens; he loved the farm cats; he crowed down the bantam rooster. A former curler, he was an avid spectator at countless sports and music events. He loved to read and he worked tirelessly to keep our grammar and pronunciation at a presentable level. He was sought after by so many for his knowledge, expertise, and good company. There was a constant trail of family young and old to visit him and mom at home. In one way or another, our father passed along his own loves and passions to his children and grandchildren: from music and fishing to farming and cards to reading and sports. We will always honour him and think of him with love and fondness as we live the lives he played such a huge role in forming. Fred is survived by his wife, Marie, children Des (Karen), Paul (Kim), Patricia (Kevin), Phil (Pat), Roberta, Esther (Dave), Terry (Karen), Roger (Shelley), Dennis (Cecile), Matthew (Stephanie), Lorne (Gail), and Fred (Shauna), his daughter-in-law, Stacey, and by 42 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also left to mourn him are his brothers, Clem (Hedwig) and Felix (Eleanor), his sisters, Laura Berscheid, Rosemary Lalonde (Bert) and Polly Merkosky (Maurice), his sisters-in-law Julie and Rita, Nakoneshny in-laws Dave, Cecilia, Harvey (Cheryl), Emelia (Reg), Sylvia (John), and Lawrence, and a slew of nieces and nephews. Fred was predeceased by his parents; brothers Ewald, John, Gerhard, Alphonse, Charlie, and infants John, Hugo, and Fred; sisters Sophie and Esther; and by his son, Norman, in 2010. As sorry as he was to leave us, he looked forward to being reunited with Norm and other loved ones. God be with you 'til we meet again. The Prayer Service for Fred was held on Sunday, July 21, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. and the Funeral Mass was held on Monday, July 22, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. Both services were held at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Lake Lenore. Memorial donations may be made to The Alphonse Gerwing Foundation or St. Anthony's Cemetery Fund. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Malinoski and Danyluik Funeral Home, Humboldt.
