Gerda Mildred Hildegard Nordberg was born on a farm near Sebeka, Minnesota to John and Emma (Liljedal) Nordberg on January 13, 1920.  Gerda died at the age of 100 years from natural causes at the Mahnomen Nursing Home on August 19, 2020.

Gerda's parents had six children before immigrating to the United States from Sweden.  After settling, they had two more children; Gerda was the youngest. She moved to Naytahwaush with her mother at a young age and attended school there thru the 8th grade.

She was united in marriage to Sidney Lawrence LaVoy on April 11, 1936 at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Naytahwaush.  While raising their children, Gerda worked as a cook at the Rodwell Nursing Home, Pinehurst Resort and Mahnomen Nursing Home.  After Gerda and Sidney retired from the workforce, they opened the Village Store in 1974 and ran it until 1984.  The store remains open today, in its original location.

Gerda worked hard while raising their family.  The family had one very large garden and at least one or two more smaller ones to which she tended.  She was a great cook and baker; she never served a supper without dessert, and her children often came home from school to fresh baked treats. Over the years, she finally gave up gardening, but she knew she would always get fresh vegetables from her children's gardens.  All of her grandchildren looked forward to either baking with her or arriving to her fresh baked cookies and other treats she had out on her counter.

She spent hours crocheting.  Gerda crocheted many doilies, afghans, table runners and even plastic rugs.  Many times, Gerda would get up from the kitchen table, go to a drawer and come back with something she made, presenting it as a gift that would be cherished from that day forward.

Most of all, Gerda loved to play cards; she talked many into playing games such as Go, Whist and most recently, SkipBo. Gerda was a competitive card player, sometimes sending her opponent home upset only to be back the next day to play again.  There are a lot of fond memories with Gerda, sitting around her kitchen table and playing cards late into the night, or at least until she won.  One of her favorite card partners was her niece, Mary Ann Snobl, who made many special trips to visit Gerda.

Gerda was always happy to have family stop in and visit; whether it was for a few minutes, hours, or overnights, the visit was never long enough. She was always welcoming and interested in what her children and grandchildren were doing. If too much time lapsed between visits, Gerda let her grandkids know.  And no one ever left without a good hug and an 'I love you' as each and every one felt special.

Over the years, her memory remained sharp, which was evident by the questions she asked.  Gerda was able to keep up with all of the latest happenings with her ever-growing family.  She remembered everyone's names, where they lived or were attending school, the new additions, and even birthdays. One wall of her kitchen was dedicated to pictures of her family, and if she didn't have an updated picture, she made sure to point that out.

As years passed, Gerda set a goal - to live to be 100 years old. In May of 2019, Gerda became a resident of the Mahnomen Nursing Home, so when she made it to January 2020, Gerda was able to come home to her church, St. Anne's, to celebrate in grand style with many family members, friends and community members.  She was very proud to be 100 and often made sure others were aware of her age.

Gerda is survived by her daughter, Ruth Foss, and sons John (Ann), Sidney, and Roy (Betsy) all of Naytahwaush; 17 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, 36 great-great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Sidney; her parents, John and Emma; sons Lawrence and Gerald; daughters Jeanette and Rita; sons-in-law Byron Bjorge, Leonard Foss and Theodore LaGue; sisters Hannah, Esther and Mary; her brothers Bror, Ernest, Axel and Gunnar; grandsons James LaGue, David LaGue, Joseph LaVoy and Byron Bjorge Jr., and her great-grandchildren, Charlie Spaeth and Sydney Jacobson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 24, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Naytahwaush, MN. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 23, 2020, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the church. Burial will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Cemetery in Naytahwaush.

All COVID 19 safety requirements will be followed at the church.