Donald Gebhart

Donald Peter Gebhart, 79, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls. He was born April 4, 1928, in Faulkton, South Dakota, the son of Edward and Clara (Bauhs) Gebhart. He grew up in Orient, South Dakota, and then worked as a butcher there. After moving to Miles City, Montana, he continued to work in the meat business at Haleys Food Center. On June 6, 1949, he married Mildred Bowar in Faulkton. In 1962, the family moved to Miller, South Dakota, and in 1963, they moved to Fergus Falls. They purchased and operated the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store; the business later became Don's 10 to 10. He relocated to a new store, called Don's Jack and Jill, in 1979, and retired in 1985. He also sold insurance for Banker's Life for several years. Don enjoyed coin collecting, hunting, fishing on Swan Lake and grilling on the deck. He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Elks, and the Eagles. Don served as a State Officer for the Knights of Columbus while in Miles City, Montana. Preceding him in death were his parents; a son, Robert, "Bobby" in 1960; three brothers, Harold, Francis and Ralph; a son-in-law, Robert Lauber; brothers-in-law Ben Bowar, Louis Clement and William Haley; and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Gebhart. Survivors include his wife, Mildred of Fergus Falls; five daughters: Mary (Steve) Bisson and Joann Lauber, both of Aurora, CO, Theresa (Joel) Hought of Fergus Falls, Carol (Brent) Manley of Brainerd, MN, and Nancy (Jim) Blank of Alexandria, MN; six sons: Jim Gebhart of Hendersonville, TN, Pat (Bonnie) Gebhart of Rogers, MN, Edward Gebhart of Albuquerque, NM, Mark (Cheryl) Gebhart of Becker, MN, Pete (Bonnie) Gebhart of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Joe (Karen) Gebhart of Moorhead, MN; 16 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; four sisters: Blanche Haley, Geraldine Bowar, Delores Clement, and Dorothy Ann (Jerry) LeDuc; one brother, Richard (Shirley) Gebhart; and two sisters-in-law, Delores Gebhart and Bernadine Gebhart. Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 5 p.m. and parish prayers at 6 p.m., and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Saturday, December 15, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Clergy: Father Robert Kieffer Interment: St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery in Fergus Falls, MN Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com