Chester L. Gerhart, 75, of Austin, Minnesota, died Saturday, March 24, 2018, at his home.

Chet was born March 10, 1943, in Austin to Edward Sr. and Beatrice (Clark) Gerhart. He attended both Queen of Angels and Pacelli High School. Chet later received his GED from the University of Kansas while serving in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1965. In 1992, Chet returned to school at Austin Vocational School and received his degree as an electronics technician at the age of 49.

On Dec. 22, 1967, he married Barbara Iverson-Mauer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Chet adopted Barb’s girls, Marie and Renee, soon after the marriage. Within a few years they added two more daughters, Anissa and Kimberly. Chet was very protective and proud of all his girls. Later in life, the family was completed with the addition of Bunker, Bo, and Zeus, their beloved pups.

Chet had numerous jobs, many times several at once, to support his family throughout his life. He worked for Mayflower Moving in Austin, Wilsons in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Midtown Auto and Carwash in Austin. He managed “Wags” carwash and service station in Casper, Wyoming, owned his own DX station in Austin, and worked for Austin Cab and Ambulance. Chet also joined Howard Bolverhouse in business building corn silos and cement slabs, was a shop foreman for Madsen Truck Lines in Albert Lea, and also repaired Thermo-Kings for McFarland Trucking in Austin. After Chet earned his degree as an electronics technician, he went to work for Telex in Blue Earth and finally retired from Hormel as a mechanic in 2008.

Over the years, Chet enjoyed many activities including hunting, fishing, cars, motorcycles and boating. He was an active member of the Moose Lodge for many years, where he served as governor from 1982-83. Later in life, Chet took up golfing, enjoyed working his hobby farm and feeding the many birds on the property.

Survivors include his wife, Barb, Austin; daughters and sons-in-law, Marie (Ray) Steichen, Spring Valley, Minnesota, Renee (Gary) Morgan, Colorado, Anissa (Jerry) Kilby, Austin, and Kimberly (John) Harsha, Park Rapids, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Pat Maly, Austin, and Betty Veldman, Austin; sister-in-law, Dorothy Gerhart, Austin; many nieces and nephews; beloved pup, Zeus.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward Gerhart Jr.; brothers-in-law, Richard Veldman and Loddy Maly II; nephews, Loddy Maly III and Dan Maly; and beloved pups, Bunker and Boe.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church with Father James Steffes officiating. Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. on Monday at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.