Ernest Robert Gades was born October 8, 1924, in Tara Township, Swift County, to Ernest and Ella (Giese) Gades. He was baptized November 2, 1924, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairfield Township, and was confirmed on April 10, 1938, at Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church, Fairfield Township. Ernie attended various area schools in his younger years and graduated from Holloway High School in 1942, in a rocking chair after breaking a leg playing baseball.August 11, 1944, he was married to Donna Mae Anderson at the Carl Hoffman home at rural Holloway. In his earlier years he worked on farms. After moving to Holloway he worked for the PV Elevator and did carpentry work for a few years. He then took over management of the Holloway Liquor Store and continued working there for 37 years, retiring in 1984.Ernie was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 62 years. He held the position of trustee for most of those years as well as many other services for the church. He had a lifelong interest in baseball, fishing, hunting, gardening, and playing cards. He enjoyed many memorable hours teaching his children and grandchildren how to hunt and fish.Ernie died on Tuesday evening, December 21, at his home in Holloway. He had attained 86 years, 2 months, and 13 days of age.He is survived by his wife, Donna Mae, of Holloway; five children: Linda (Daniel) Petrella of Minnetonka, Donald (Betty) Gades of St. Cloud, Darlene (Dale) Hauschildt of Plymouth, Jeffrey (Kristi) Gades of Appleton, and Lonn (Pamela) Gades of Eden Prairie; daughter-in-law, Karen Gades, of Holloway; 14 grandchildren: Jason Petrella, Adam (Rachel) Petrella, Andrea (Daniel) Sorenson, Sara Petrella, Gregory Gades, Stefanie Gades, Shanna (Ryan) Ludvigson, Aaron Gades (friend Kayla Forsman), Anthony (Nadine) Gades, Matthew (Mylan) Gades, Collin Gades, Katelyn Gades, Megan Gades, and Taylor Gades; 11 great-grandchildren: Carter and Ethan Petrella, Natalie, Aidan, and Lucas Sorenson, Tanner, Callie, Chloe and Lyndsey Ludvigson, Riley Gades, and Oscar Gades; and several other relatives.He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jerry; and two brothers: Arthur and Merlin Gades.
