Fred J. Gelderman, 89, died Thursday at United Retirement Center in Brookings.

Fred was born August 18, 1918 near Humboldt, SD to Theodore and Frieda (Heidemann) Gelderman. He attended school at Humboldt and then farmed with his family until they moved to the Ward, SD area in 1941. He married Janice Hagedorn and they made their home in Glendale, CA. He began working road construction in the 1950's in Alaska, then Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. Fritz married Vera Mersch on December 23, 1972 at Dell Rapids and they moved to Hill City, SD in 1973 where they were active in senior citizens and square dancing. They moved to Brookings in 2006 to be closer to family and they made their home at the United Retirement Center. Vera passed away on January 26, 2008. Fritz loved a good game of Pepper, reading, gardening and visiting with friends and family.

Fred is survived by one stepdaughter, Joyce (Duane) Anderson, Aurora; two stepsons, Leroy (Barbara) Mersch, Sioux Falls and Robert (Carol) Mersch, Boise, ID; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Bernice Pottratz, Pipestone, MN; and nine nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera; two sisters, Elsie and Nora and a brother, Max.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Elkton.