Christopher Eric Gerdes, one of six children of Wayne Leonard and Cynthia (Volker) Gerdes, was born June 20, 1977, in Humboldt, Nebraska. He attended Johnson-Brock schools in his early years and graduated from high school in Marysville, Kansas. Christopher then attended Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska, and received an associate’s degree in Non-destructive Testing.

On May 5, 2001, Christopher married Dana King in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Their first home was in St. Helens, Oregon. Chris worked for an engineering firm in Portland, Oregon, while continuing his education at Concordia Portland, studying for his bachelor’s in engineering. Soon after marriage, he joined the Army National Guard in September 2001, serving as a mechanic until 2013. Upon returning from basic training, he changed his major and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies from Concordia Portland, Oregon, intending to become a pastor. He was later deployed to Iraq for one year after the couple returned to Nebraska.

In 2008, Chris attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, graduating in 2013 with a Master of Divinity. He then received his first call to serve Zion Lutheran Church, Hubbell, Nebraska; St. Johns Lutheran Church, Chester, Nebraska; and Faith Lutheran Church, Hebron, Nebraska. He faithfully served this tri-parish until 2018, when he accepted a call to serve Our Savior Lutheran Church as Headmaster and 7th & 8thgrade teacher until 2020.

The couple moved to Johnson, NE, in 2021 so Chris could manage the family business, Johnson Quik Stop, and work as a mechanic when needed. He soon served pulpit supply to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Netawaka, KS, where he received a call to serve them part-time in April of 2023 as their sole pastor until his death. He was also a member of Amerian Legion Post #330 in Johnson.

During all their travels, the couple’s family grew to include their children Cedric, Eliah, Alerik, Josias, Levi, Malachi, Sophia, and Isabella.

Christopher passed away unexpectedly during a trip to Colorado on August 5, 2024, in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Otto & Helen Volker & Leonard & Pearle Gerdes, parents Wayne and Cynthia Gerdes, mother-inlaw Patricia McMahon, brothers- in-law Derek Behrends and Michael Soto, and nephew Damian Gerdes.

Those left to remember Christopher with love include his wife Dana; children Cedric (Celia), Eliah, Alerik, Josias, Levi, Malachi, Sophia, and Isabella; siblings Jeremy (Jana), Philip (Crystal), Nathaniel (Alecia), Michelle (Douglas) Hoff, Randall (Kelly); fatherin- law Duane (Kathie) King; brother-in-law Jarod (Kyisha) King; sisters-in-law Springer Hendricks, Melissa Soto-Baker; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024, 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church near Elk Creek. The family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Burial will follow in St. James Lutheran Cemetery near Humboldt. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Services entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of

Auburn.