Fred and Doris Gerdes

Fred and Doris Gerdes Grant for Fine Arts

Fred Gerdes (1928 – 2013)
Doris Gerdes (1930 – 2014)
Fred and Doris Gerdes, both born and raised in South Dakota, moved to De Witt in 1956. They were both involved in school and community activities while raising their four boys. Fred served on the Central Community School Board, was a former member of the Saber Athletic Booster Club and a very active member of the De Witt Noon Lions Club. He also helped operate the Central football scoreboard for over 30 years and was a long-time timer at Central track meets. Doris was a member of the Junior Woman’s and CI-Ed Clubs and various other community groups, and volunteered for many years at the Central Community Historical Society Museum. Fred and Doris were members of the De Witt United Methodist Church. They instilled in their children the value of “giving back” to the community.

Supporting the Central Community School District was always an important aspect of their lives, and they valued a well-rounded education which included participation in the fine arts programs and extra-curricular activities. They supported their boys’ education as well as their involvement in sports, choir, art, band and school musicals over the years. They were supporters of the The Education Foundation of Central DeWitt, often attending the Homecoming week breakfasts. Even years after their children graduated from CCHS, Fred would talk about how he enjoyed hearing the Chamber Singers perform for the Noon Lions during Christmas time.

The Gerdes’ four boys, Kenneth (1969), Douglas (1971), Roger (1974) and Paul (1976) graduated from Central Community High School. Three grandchildren are also CCHS graduates.

This endowment benefits projects to support the fine arts programs.