Gilmer Gary Gerdes

Gilmer Gary Gerdes, age 84, of Windsor, Colorado passed away peacefully on May 25th, 2026. His first hospital admission in 65 years, ended suddenly from a suspected cardiac or cerebral event. Gil was laughing and joking with medical staff right before God swiftly ushered him home.

Born in Bremen, Kansas, Gil was the second born child of Fred and Elsie Gerdes. He attended Kansas State University (Go Wildcats!) and later built a fulfilling career as an Electrical Engineer for Rockwell International for greater than 30 years. Gil served 4 years in the Airforce. His job in the service was part of an elite team of contractors that were sent to missile sites when things were going, as Gil would say, "Cattywampus". His military expertise led to his first job at Rockwell International where he continued his career as an electrical engineer. He was known for his work on the Minuteman and Peacekeeper Missile Programs and other top-secret stuff he could never tell us about. Even after retiring, he couldn't stay away and worked 9 more years part-time for Boing. As an engineer, Gil was well respected for his problem-solving capabilities. At work and at home, Gil was always the guy you called when you needed something fixed. Problem solving was his super-power and he would drop everything to help us. Back at home or the farm, the solution often involved duct tape or WD-40 leaving it creatively and often permanently, fixed.

After officially retiring, Gil could finally focus on his hobbies. Whether he was fishing, boating, hunting or camping Gil brought his expertise for the outdoors which allowed him to finally sit in the moment. He loved Classical music and Budweiser, but it was his 10 grandkids that he loved the most. The only competition to grandkids was spending time at the family farm in Kansas. The crew at the farm will always remember him for the projects he started (and didn't quite finish) and for his loyalty to his family and his hometown. He loved getting coffee with the locals and driving around to talk to the farmers. Gil left both his fingerprints and his legacy at the farm and on our hearts; leaving us better than how he found us.

Gil is survived by devoted spouse, Sharon; children, Marc, Chris and Karen; grandchildren, Samantha, Josh, Luke, Cadence, Mitch, Bethany, Annalise, Aubrianna, Shane and Autumn; and siblings, David and Ila Mae. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Elsie, Stepmother, Martha, nephew Joshua and sister, Shirley and his best friend and Brother-in-Law, Ronnie.

Funeral Service will be at Redeemer Lutheran church on Thursday May 28th at 2 pm located at 7755 Greenstone trail, Fort Collins, CO. 80525