Gerald Schanz

Gerald was born February 10, 1915, to Edward and Sarah Heimbecker Schanz in Alsen, ND. He grew up on the family farm near Dresden, ND, and attended country school until he began farming full time. Gerald entered the U.S. Army during WWII and served nearly two years before his honorable discharge in 1943. He married Marian Penner in Langdon in 1948, and together they had five children. They farmed for several years at Langdon, ND, Frazee, MN, and Detroit Lakes, MN, before moving to Moorhead, MN, where Gerald worked in maintenance until retiring in 1984. Gerald enjoyed spending time outdoors and gardening. He was also very good with his hands and enjoyed the challenge of repairing anything in need. He will be greatly missed.Gerald is survived by his wife, Marian Schanz; his son, Larry Rose Schanz; his daughters, LaVonne Matson, LaVynia Robert Stern, and LaRayne Schanz, his grandchildren, Cherie Gentry and Andrew Pam Schanz, and his great-grandchildren, Savanna, Michael, and Tristen Gentry, and Aundra and Mollie Schanz. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Arthur and Richard Schanz; one sister, Laura Smith; and one son, Leon Schanz.