Obituary for Gerd Nanninga
Mr. Gerd Hinrich Nanninga passed away in Red Deer, Alberta on August 28, 2023 at the age of 97 years. Gerd was born in Wasbeck, Germany to his parents, Renko and Magdalena Nanninga. Times were tough after the War in Germany, so in 1930 Renko joined his brother-in-law Rudolf Stange, as well as Dave and Chris Staben, who had previously immigrated to the Caroline area. Magdalena with sons Fritz, age eight and Gerd, age five, followed in 1931 to the quarter section of land that Renko had purchased four miles east of Caroline. It was here where Gerd’s sister, Christa was born, completing their family. Gerd attended the Shilo School,
which was about three quarters of a mile north of the farm. After completing his formal education, he started working for a few local farmers, after which he worked with Massy Harris operating prototype combines and then moved onto driving truck in the oil patch. While working out of Edmonton, Alberta, he met Mildred McMillan. They were married in Mayerthorpe, Alberta on July 2, 1952. Gerd and Mildred purchased the farm from Magdalena and went farming. After being hailed out a number of times, the family, including Garry, Gail, Rob and Dan moved to Jasper Place, near Edmonton. There Gerd worked at a Royalite Service Station, drove cab, and later drove for Grimshaw Trucking before moving back to the farm in the early sixties, Jim was born a couple of years later in Innisfail. Gerd and Mildred were active in the community for many years. Gerd joined the Elks Lodge in 1960 as a Charter Member. He coordinated the Elks Snowmobile Poker Rally, helped in the construction of the Caroline Scout Hall and was an active member of the Caroline Snowmobile Club. As often as possible, Gerd would be on his ATV, snowmobile or on horseback enjoying the west country. During the summers, they often travelled with their motorhome throughout Canada and the United States. Gerd and Mildred travelled to Scotland and Germany where they enjoyed exploring their family roots. Farming was always Gerd’s greatest passion. Gerd is lovingly remembered by his sons, Garry (Hiromi), Rob (Doris), Dan (Deb) and Jim (Laurie), as well as seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Renko and Magdalena, his wife, Mildred of seventy years, a daughter, Gail, a sister, Christa and a brother, Fritz. A Public Visitation and Graveside Service will be held at the Raven Union Church on Thursday, September 7, 2023 with Visitation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and Graveside at 1:00 p.m. Following the Graveside Service, a Celebration of Gerd’s Life will be held at the Kurt Browning Arena, Caroline, Alberta at 2:00 p.m. For those unable to attend, the Celebration of Gerd's Life will be Live Streamed. To view the Live Stream please go onto www.heartlandfuneralservices.com on Thursday, September 7, 2023 just prior to 2:00 p.m. and click on the Live Stream button in the upper right corner. If desired, Memorial Donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S Foundation at 570-1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 9Z9 or at www.stars.ca. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
which was about three quarters of a mile north of the farm. After completing his formal education, he started working for a few local farmers, after which he worked with Massy Harris operating prototype combines and then moved onto driving truck in the oil patch. While working out of Edmonton, Alberta, he met Mildred McMillan. They were married in Mayerthorpe, Alberta on July 2, 1952. Gerd and Mildred purchased the farm from Magdalena and went farming. After being hailed out a number of times, the family, including Garry, Gail, Rob and Dan moved to Jasper Place, near Edmonton. There Gerd worked at a Royalite Service Station, drove cab, and later drove for Grimshaw Trucking before moving back to the farm in the early sixties, Jim was born a couple of years later in Innisfail. Gerd and Mildred were active in the community for many years. Gerd joined the Elks Lodge in 1960 as a Charter Member. He coordinated the Elks Snowmobile Poker Rally, helped in the construction of the Caroline Scout Hall and was an active member of the Caroline Snowmobile Club. As often as possible, Gerd would be on his ATV, snowmobile or on horseback enjoying the west country. During the summers, they often travelled with their motorhome throughout Canada and the United States. Gerd and Mildred travelled to Scotland and Germany where they enjoyed exploring their family roots. Farming was always Gerd’s greatest passion. Gerd is lovingly remembered by his sons, Garry (Hiromi), Rob (Doris), Dan (Deb) and Jim (Laurie), as well as seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Renko and Magdalena, his wife, Mildred of seventy years, a daughter, Gail, a sister, Christa and a brother, Fritz. A Public Visitation and Graveside Service will be held at the Raven Union Church on Thursday, September 7, 2023 with Visitation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and Graveside at 1:00 p.m. Following the Graveside Service, a Celebration of Gerd’s Life will be held at the Kurt Browning Arena, Caroline, Alberta at 2:00 p.m. For those unable to attend, the Celebration of Gerd's Life will be Live Streamed. To view the Live Stream please go onto www.heartlandfuneralservices.com on Thursday, September 7, 2023 just prior to 2:00 p.m. and click on the Live Stream button in the upper right corner. If desired, Memorial Donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S Foundation at 570-1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 9Z9 or at www.stars.ca. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006