Donald Westby Gjerdrum

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Gjerdrum, Donald Westby Born July 25, 1921, to John Bernard and Mildred (Westby) Gjerdrum on their farm north of Mabel, Minnesota. Don was baptized and confirmed at Scheie Lutheran Church and lived a faithful life as a believer in God's grace. He died September 21, 2012. Don was an officer in the Navy 1943-1946, serving in Europe and the Pacific. He was a band director in Independence, WI, Spring Grove, MN, and Burnsville MN. He was a lover of crisp cadences and a steady beat, and directed many award-winning bands, touching hundreds of lives in his 35 years as a teacher. He was also a life-long musician, able to play any band instrument with ease and excelling at clarinet even into his 90's. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Pauline Overland and Karen Myhre, and his first wife, Doris (died 1993). Don is survived by his second wife, Linda (married 1994); his children: Mary (Tom) Holman of Ghana, West Africa; Sara (Charles Olson) Gjerdrum of St. Paul, MN; Dorothy Gjerdrum of St. Paul, MN and David (Karine Cantin) Gjerdrum of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren: Maria, Zinash and Aklilu Gjerdrum and Kalkidan and Bereket Olson of St. Paul, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Linda's children: Peter Kjome of Grand Rapids, MI; Kristin (Jonathon Fischer) Kjome of Portland OR; Kari Kjome of Portland, OR; Catherine Kjome of New York City, NY; and grandchildren; Klara Fischer and Elinor Kjome Fischer of Portland, OR. A funeral service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, September 29, at Scheie Lutheran Church in rural Mabel with visitation one hour prior to the service and a reception following the service. Funeral arrangements are through Mengis Funeral Home (507-493-5129). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators (in support of Mary and Tom Holman) or Luther College (in support of the band program).

Published on September 25, 2012