Luwana Gerads

Luwana F. Gerads, 97, of Rochester, MN left this life on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Season's Hospice House.

Luwana Fern (Nordquist) Gerads was born on January 3, 1928, to Arthur and Ina (Vinton) Nordquist in St. Cloud, MN.

She graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in 1945. While a student, she participated in Glee Club and Gregg Artists Club.

Lu met Edward H. Gerads when, as a teenager, Ed worked for Lu's Dad. At that time, she was too young and, even though she flirted, Ed didn't give her the time of day. He even refused to tell her his name. Since Ed always wore Lee jeans, Lu started calling him Lee, which is where their son got his name. Lu was at the train station when Ed returned from WWII. On August 30, 1947, Luwana and Ed were married at Minnehaha UMC in Minneapolis.

Lu worked as a secretary for the FC Hayer Company in Minneapolis and the Gambles Co. in St. Cloud, MN. In 1961, she took a position as an Administrative Assistant for the SE District Office of Christ United Methodist Church. She supported five different District Superintendents over 28 years. She retired in 1989.

Lu loved travel and new experiences. As a teenager, she swam across the Mississippi River and skied in the Big Watab Lake where her family had a cottage, and the Colorado River in Arizona where they wintered for several years.

After moving from their home in SW Rochester, she lived at the Homestead of Rochester for 18 years, eight of those years with Ed. Ed, the love of her life, died in 2015. She was anxious to be with him and missed him terribly. They had a wonderful love story and life together.

Lu sparkled and shined. She loved a good time. She sang in the CUMC Choir and took three trips to Europe with the choir to sing in various churches and cathedrals. She also participated in the CUMC Hand Bell Choir.

Over the years, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels and at the Mayowood Mansion. She was also a member of Eastern Star, White Shrine, CUMC Women's Circle, had a leadership role in CUMC Confirmation for several years, but nothing took preference over her weekly hair appointments.

Lu is survived by her children: Linda (Roman Pierskalla) Gustafson of Buffalo and Lee (Susie Dripps) Gerads of Oronoco; grandchildren: Tim(Cindy) Gustafson, Joshua (Gina) Gerads, Sarah (Justin) Smith, Jacob (Kelli) Gerads, Michael Gerads, Gina (Jeremy) Stratton, and Jerad (Rachel) Pierskalla; great grandchildren: Lilix Gustafson, Troy Gustafson, Heidi Smith, Charlie Smith, Kirra (Kam) Asp, MacKayla Gerads, Chloe Gerads, Levi Gerads and Kaia Stratton.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ed, daughter-in-law Charlene Gerads, brother Darwin Nordquist, sister-in-law Marilyn Nordquist and grandson Don Gustafson III.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 11:30am, assembly area number four.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Gerads family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.