Gerald Louis Dammann
Gerald Louis Dammann, age 96, of Sanborn, MN died on April 3, 2023 at the Sanford Tracy Medical Center in Tracy, MN. Private family services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gerald Dammann was born December 15, 1926 on the family farm in Charlestown Township, Redwood County to Herman & Mary (Radtke) Dammann. As a child he grew up on a farm just north of Sanborn. He attended public school in Sanborn and after graduation lived at home farming with his father for a few years. Gerald started farming on his own when he moved “south of the river” from Sanborn as he would say. He was married and was the father of three sons and later divorced. Gerald farmed his entire life. When his youngest son started to farm after college, Gerald had more fun farming than ever before. You would find him working the ground and helping with daily cattle work until age 94. He enjoyed seeing progress on the farm and seeing all his grandchildren at one time or another working with him. Even in the fall of his 94th birthday, he could be found in a four-wheel drive tractor doing field work to perfection. Of all the jobs he enjoyed, the proudest days of his life were taking care of his grandchildren. Trenton and Trina enjoyed the occasional grandpa days while years later Samuel and Charles would have Grandpa Fridays – what lucky kids. Gerald was known as the Cookie Man to people in the area. It didn’t matter if he went to a doctor visit, picked up seed or was delivering lunch to the field, friends and neighbors would ask if he brought them any chocolate chip cookies. After Easter of 2022, Gerald entered the Valley View Care Center. He would be a resident there for nearly a year. As usual he became the center of attention to many people there. He could put on his grumpy face, but yet make you laugh before leaving the room.
Gerald is survived by his children: Gerald-Lee Dammann of Jeffers, Garth Dammann of Sanborn, and Guy (Marie) Dammann of Sanborn; grandchildren: Trenton Dammann of Redwood Falls, Trina (Logan) McAlpin of Cottage Grove, Samuel and Charles Dammann of Sanborn; great grandchildren: Maddox, Kennedy and Everly McAlpin; brother Glenn and sister Melva Ochs. Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Mary, brothers Stanley and Eldon, and sister Ardell Bassett.