Peter Gerving

Peter Paul Gerving, age 81, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the V.A. Hospital in Fargo, ND. A funeral service will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 15, 2016, at David Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes. A visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 14, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm, at David Donehower Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to the service on Friday. The burial will at 12:45 pm on Monday, April 18, 2016, at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Peter was born on July 4, 1934, to Gerhardt Math and Hilda (Baisch) Gerving in Glen Ullin, ND. They moved to Strawberry Lake, MN, when he was six. He attended school at White Earth Mission School and made it to the eight grade in Detroit Lakes. At 15 he left home to work in the mines in Montana. In 1955 he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a machinist mate on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S Leyte. Peter was united in marriage to Cecilia Bursaw on July 21, 1958, and they raised five children in Minneapolis and in Detroit Lakes. He then attended the Detroit Lakes Vocational and Technical College for auto body repair. He moved back to Minneapolis in 1966, where he worked for numerous employers. In 1981, the family returned to Detroit Lakes, where he worked as a welder for Bob's Machining and Manufacturing; until his retirement in 2001. After retirement he and Cecelia traveled frequently, until her passing. Peter loved his family and delighted in his grandchildren. He enjoyed rummage sales, traveling, and taking photographs. He liked working with his hand and tinkering on whatever he could get them on. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was an avid reader. Peter was fond of company and was always up for good conversation, even if you were a complete stranger; he had the gift of gab. He was kind and understanding and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. Peter was a lifelong member of the V.F.W. and a past member of the Lions Club. He is survived by his children, Ray (Carol) Gerving of Tucson, AZ, Debbie (Phillip) Swonger of Detroit Lakes, Paul (Stacie) Gerving of Elbow Lake, Rose (Morris) Dodd of Strawberry Lake, and Tim (Anna) Gerving of Detroit Lakes; brothers, Allen (Angie) Gerving of Waubun, Jim (Linda) Gerving of Ogema; sisters, Luella (John) Mosher of Buffalo, Jane (Tom) Klassen of Forest Lake, Violet (Dave) Ahles of Minnetonka, Grace (Eugene) Clark of Ogema, and Jean (Dick) Mosher of Otsego; 18 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cecelia; his parents, Gerhardt and Hilda; and an infant brother.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Service
Friday, April 15, 2016
cemetery
Monday, April 18, 2016

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