Dale Gerdts

Dale Ivan Gerdts, age 84, of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 12, 2023 in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Per the wishes of Dale and his family, cremation rites have been accorded under the care of the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. A family-led celebration of life will take place at a later date. For online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Dale was born on June 21, 1938 in Davenport, Iowa to Earl Gerdts and Vivian (Park) Lulow. Dale proudly served with the United States Navy Seabees from 1955 to 1975. During his 20 years, he was stationed in Morocco, New Zealand/Antarctica, Cuba and Peurto Rico. He survived four tours of Vietnam with NMBC 74 out of Gulfport, MS. He was also stationed in the United States, mostly on the Atlantic Coast.

During his time in New Zealand, he met the love of his life, Ann Maschek, and the two were united in marriage on October 22, 1962 in Lyttleton, NZ. Upon his retirement from the Navy, the couple made their home for 35 years in rural Linn County, Iowa. Dale worked for Quaker Oats Company for 20 years before retiring. They relocated to Marion, Iowa, where they lived for six years before moving to Marshalltown to be near their son.

In his free time, he enjoyed utilizing his building skills obtained during his military career and built things like birdhouses, chicken coops and barns on their acreage. He also had a passion for planting trees and loved fishing, gardening and keeping chickens. Dale had a great sense of humor and loved a good pint of Guinness. More than anything else, he was dedicated to his family.

Left to cherish his memory is his son, Darren Gerdts of Marshalltown, IA; grandson, Thomas Gerdts of Cedar Rapids, IA and his sister, Linda Barkhoff of Marion, IA.

Dale is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ann; his son, Jamie Gerdts; parents, Earl and Vivian; and two brothers, Warren and Wayne Gerdts.