Harold W. Gerdes, age 92, of Washington died Monday February 8, 2010 at Halcyon House in Washington following a brief illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 2:30 pm Saturday February 13, 2010 at the Jones - Eden Funeral Home with Rev. Kitch Shatzer officiating. Interment will take place at 1:00 pm Saturday at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm Friday at Jones - Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Memorials have been established to Halcyon House and Ainsworth Community Church. Online condolences may be sent for Harold's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Harold was born on March 22, 1917 in Washington County, Iowa the son of Phillip and Emma (Burger) Gerdes. He graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1935 and attended Business College in Cedar Rapids. Harold was united in marriage to Joella J. Beenblossom on October 5, 1940 in Washington, Iowa. He farmed all of his life in Washington County. Harold enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an avid gardener. His passion was caring for his wife. He was an active member in the Methodist Church in Ainsworth. He served on the Ainsworth School Board, was a member of the Ainsworth Lions Club, and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.

Harold is survived by his son, William Gerdes and wife Linda of Dubuque; daughter, Linda Oakes and husband Denny of Fairfield; daughter, Patti Mitchell and husband Jerry of Iowa City; seven grandchildren, Tim (Sheila) Oakes; Todd (Bridgit) Oakes; Matthew (Tanya) Mitchell; Michael (Tonya) Mitchell; Marty (Angie) Mitchell; Tammy (Larry) Nichols; and Rob Gerdes; two step grandchildren, David Powell and Erica (Grant) Venema; and eighteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 2004; one sister, Irene Gerdes Wood; and one brother, Raymond Gerdes.