Ken was born March 6, 1950 in Carmi, Illinois. He was the youngest of four children born to Gerald “Depo” Gerdes and Mary (Collins) Gerdes.
On September 19, 1982, Ken was united in marriage to Carol (Jackson) Gerdes in Carmi, Illinois. She survives.
Ken is also survived by: his daughter Megan Michelle Gerdes of Canton, Georgia; brothers William (Lynn) Gerdes of Birmingham, Alabama and James (Marie) Gerdes of Richmond, Virginia; sister Carol Faulkner of Carmi, Illinois; and sister-in-law – Pamela Gerdes of Birmingham, Alabama.
Ken was a 1968 graduate of Carmi High School. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Forestry from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Following his graduation from SIU, Ken worked as a manager of a condominium in Aspen, Colorado. He also worked in the construction trade. Ken and Carol moved to Johnson County in 1983. He was employed by the U.S.D.A. as the Johnson County Executive Director of Farm Services, a position which he held for 31 years prior to his retirement. Following his retirement from the U.S.D.A., Ken worked as a crop insurance adjuster for A.D.M. (Archer Daniels Midland) for 3 years.
Ken was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hiking, fishing, deer hunting, snow skiing, and camping. Additionally, Ken was a gifted artisan and enjoyed painting and making craft items. He enjoyed playing his guitar and particularly enjoyed listening to bluegrass and folk music.
On September 19, 1982, Ken was united in marriage to Carol (Jackson) Gerdes in Carmi, Illinois. She survives.
Ken is also survived by: his daughter Megan Michelle Gerdes of Canton, Georgia; brothers William (Lynn) Gerdes of Birmingham, Alabama and James (Marie) Gerdes of Richmond, Virginia; sister Carol Faulkner of Carmi, Illinois; and sister-in-law – Pamela Gerdes of Birmingham, Alabama.
Ken was a 1968 graduate of Carmi High School. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Forestry from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Following his graduation from SIU, Ken worked as a manager of a condominium in Aspen, Colorado. He also worked in the construction trade. Ken and Carol moved to Johnson County in 1983. He was employed by the U.S.D.A. as the Johnson County Executive Director of Farm Services, a position which he held for 31 years prior to his retirement. Following his retirement from the U.S.D.A., Ken worked as a crop insurance adjuster for A.D.M. (Archer Daniels Midland) for 3 years.
Ken was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hiking, fishing, deer hunting, snow skiing, and camping. Additionally, Ken was a gifted artisan and enjoyed painting and making craft items. He enjoyed playing his guitar and particularly enjoyed listening to bluegrass and folk music.
Ken was born March 6, 1950 in Carmi, Illinois. He was the youngest of four children born to Gerald “Depo” Gerdes and Mary (Collins) Gerdes.
On September 19, 1982, Ken was united in marriage to Carol (Jackson) Gerdes in Carmi, Illinois. She survives.
Ken is also survived by: his daughter Megan Michelle Gerdes of Canton, Georgia; brothers William (Lynn) Gerdes of Birmingham, Alabama and James (Marie) Gerdes of Richmond, Virginia; sister Carol Faulkner of Carmi, Illinois; and sister-in-law – Pamela Gerdes of Birmingham, Alabama.
Ken was a 1968 graduate of Carmi High School. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Forestry from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Following his graduation from SIU, Ken worked as a manager of a condominium in Aspen, Colorado. He also worked in the construction trade. Ken and Carol moved to Johnson County in 1983. He was employed by the U.S.D.A. as the Johnson County Executive Director of Farm Services, a position which he held for 31 years prior to his retirement. Following his retirement from the U.S.D.A., Ken worked as a crop insurance adjuster for A.D.M. (Archer Daniels Midland) for 3 years.
Ken was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hiking, fishing, deer hunting, snow skiing, and camping. Additionally, Ken was a gifted artisan and enjoyed painting and making craft items. He enjoyed playing his guitar and particularly enjoyed listening to bluegrass and folk music.
On September 19, 1982, Ken was united in marriage to Carol (Jackson) Gerdes in Carmi, Illinois. She survives.
Ken is also survived by: his daughter Megan Michelle Gerdes of Canton, Georgia; brothers William (Lynn) Gerdes of Birmingham, Alabama and James (Marie) Gerdes of Richmond, Virginia; sister Carol Faulkner of Carmi, Illinois; and sister-in-law – Pamela Gerdes of Birmingham, Alabama.
Ken was a 1968 graduate of Carmi High School. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Forestry from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Following his graduation from SIU, Ken worked as a manager of a condominium in Aspen, Colorado. He also worked in the construction trade. Ken and Carol moved to Johnson County in 1983. He was employed by the U.S.D.A. as the Johnson County Executive Director of Farm Services, a position which he held for 31 years prior to his retirement. Following his retirement from the U.S.D.A., Ken worked as a crop insurance adjuster for A.D.M. (Archer Daniels Midland) for 3 years.
Ken was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hiking, fishing, deer hunting, snow skiing, and camping. Additionally, Ken was a gifted artisan and enjoyed painting and making craft items. He enjoyed playing his guitar and particularly enjoyed listening to bluegrass and folk music.
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