Funeral services were held for Gordon Greenwaldt, age 87 of Deer Creek, on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek with Pastor Donald Wagner officiating. The hymns were sung by the congregation, accompanied by Marcus Lueders. The pallbearers were Jacob Snyder, Blake Greenwaldt, Ben Birch, Jessie Grangruth, Johnny Barthel, Derek Tucker, Tom Robinson, Ryan Kephart, and Dylan Larson. Gordon was laid to rest at Inman Cemetery, rural Henning.

Gordon (Bud) LeRoy Greenwaldt was born in Bertha, Minn. on November 23, 1936, to Fred and Marie (Oldenburg) Greenwaldt. Gordon moved with his family from Hewitt to Deer Creek, as a child. It was there that he met the love of his life Frances Carlson. Gordon and Fran were married on August 25, 1956.

Gordon loved to farm and raise cattle. He would always keep snacks on hand for the cattle to tame them down so he could walk around the herd and always enjoyed the cows coming to him when he rattled the snack bucket. Gordon was proud to be known for the hard work he put in with his painting business. Those years he spent working with his friend Chuck Anderson and his cousin Duane Greenwaldt were the topic of many stories we heard. We might add we re-heard those stories many times over the years.

He loved wheeling and dealing with people when it was time to buy something and was always the “go to guy” when a family member needed a new car. They would just call him and say, “I need a car” and he would take it from there.

Gordon had a heart of gold. We have heard many stories of the lives Gordon and Fran have touched over the years that we never knew.

Gordon loved to travel with family and friends. He also enjoyed driving around the countryside looking at the crops. But his favorite past time was playing cards, playing cards, and playing cards.

Although he was known for his love of hard work, saving money, and playing cards, nothing compared to his strong faith in God and his love for his wife and family. Gordon went from providing snacks for the cattle to a bedroom full of his grandchildren’s favorite snacks, pop, squeezies, or whatever they liked. If one of them mentioned something they liked it was in the snack room the next time they came over. He even provided Heather with her favorite beer, Michelob Ultra, even though it cost way more than his Old Milwaukee and he wouldn’t be able to buy groceries for the rest of the week.

Gordon Greenwaldt, age 87 of Deer Creek, passed away on December 5, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Preceded in death by parents Fred and Marie Greenwaldt, father and mother-in-law Frank and Marie (Peggy) Carlson, brothers-in-law David Brasel, Donald Stelzner, and Lloyd Carlson, and nephew Timmy Brasel.

Gordon is survived by his wife Fran of 67 years, his kids Caryl (Randy) Stave, Marilyn (Vern) Snyder, Joni (Larry) Birch, Bill Greenwaldt, 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, sisters Barbara and Donna, and sister-in-law Marcia.

Please visit karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Gordon’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Wadena.