Gerhard Peter Fick was born April 7, 1932, to Henry and Anna (Wilkins) Fick at the Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne, Minnesota, and raised on the family farm southwest of Luverne. He was baptized in May of 1932 and later confirmed in June of 1948 at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Gerhard attended District 61 country school through the eighth grade. Following his schooling, he continued to help on the farm.
On October 21, 1952, at the age of 20, Gerhard was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Korea until his honorable discharge on October 21, 1954. He returned home to the Luverne area and began farming across the road from his parents.
On June 10, 1956, Gerhard was united in marriage to Eldora Kitchenmaster at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Following their union, the couple made their home on the acreage across from Gerhard’s parents. They continued to farm while raising their four sons, Verlyn, Dennis, Michael and Steven.
In 1971 the family moved to Gerhard’s parents’ home across the road.
In 1997 Gerhard and Eldora moved into Luverne. Gerhard remained active on the farm, helping where he could until his retirement in 2005. Eldora preceded him in death on March 24, 2011. Gerhard continued to live at their home until moving to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne as a result of dementia, where on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, Gerhard died peacefully at the age of 91 years, nine months and ten days.
Gerhard was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa, where he held various offices in the church. He loved farming his entire life and serving as a steward to the land. While his children were young, he enjoyed camping. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with Eldora.
He is survived by his four sons, Verlyn Fick and his wife, Susan, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Dennis Fick and his wife, Laura, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Michael Fick and his wife, Darlene, of Sioux Falls, and Rev. Steven Fick and his wife, Patricia, of Austin, Texas; eight grandchildren, Henry, Michelle, and Eleanor, Javier, Jackie, and Jenna, Amber and Sarah; 10 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Leo, Max, Elsie, Eli, Emma, Emmett, Anna, Deyondre and Julia; sister Lillian Peterson of Pipestone, Minnesota; brother Norbert Fick and his wife, Laureen, of Luverne; and other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eldora; his parents, Henry and Anna; and a brother-in-law, Alvin Peterson.
Visitation will be Friday, January 26, from 4-7 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral service will be Saturday, January 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Burial with military honors will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to Mission Central (Attn Gary Thies, 40718 Hwy E-16, Mapleton, IA 51034). To view Gerhard’s LifeTribute or to sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.