Joyce Gerdes

Joyce Marie Gerdes, 89, of Red Wing, Minnesota, died February 13, 2025 at her granddaughter’s home in Farmington. She was born July 8, 1935 to Loyal and Marie (Peterson) Woodford in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She attended school in Fall Creek, Wisc. On June 20, 1959 she married Thomas Gerdes in Eau Claire and the couple made their home in Red Wing. Joyce worked at various places in the area, including; The Pantry, Busy Bee, Red Wing Laundry, Jostens, and Reidell. She enjoyed baking, crafting, dancing and polka music. She loved animals and showing people her extensive collection of pictures from her life. She was a proud wife, mother, grandma and nana. She very much enjoyed being a Hockey Grandma.

She is survived by her son, Jim (Sue) Gerdes of Red Wing; 5 grandchildren, Samantha (Brian) Tix of Farmington, Ryan (Gretta) Cardell of Hastings, Renee McGrath of Red Wing, Josh Vonch and Matt (Kiersten) Sloan; 5 great-grandchildren, Tyler (Curt) Fischer of Santa Rosa, California, Noah Vonch, Hanley Vonch, Zachary Sloan, and Everlyn Sloan; son-in-law, Tim (Peggy) Erie of Vasa; 3 siblings, Betty Woodford of Fall Creek, Wisc., Lyle (Laura) Woodford of Fall Creek, and Joanne Linder of Red Wing; cousins, Wayne and Wanda Gerdes of Red Wing; grandpuppies, Siouxzie, Riley, Stitch, Marley, and Sasha.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas; daughter, Judy Erie; 5 siblings, Donald Woodford, Roger (Linda) Woodford, Bernice (Leonard) Dekan, Regena (Cliff) Albrecht and Carol (Ken) Huff; brother-in-law, Herman Linder, and her parents.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, Red Wing with visitation one hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com