Mass of Christian Burial for Donald D. Gerlach, 88, formerly of Armstrong, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October. 3, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Armstrong with Father Merlin Schrad officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Elkton, S.D. He passed away on September 24, 2025 in Maryville, IL at the age of 88 years.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, October. 2, 2025, at the church in Armstrong.
Donald Dwayne Gerlach, the son of Alvin and Helen (Sperlich) Gerlach was born on August 23, 1937 in Parkston, South Dakota.
On May 1, 1965, he was united in marriage to Madeline L. Peterson in Elkton, South Dakota. The couple moved to the Armstrong area in 1969. Don was a coach and principal in Elkton, South Dakota from 1960-1969. Don served as principal and athletic director for Armstrong/Armstrong-Ringsted Schools from 1969-1997. He served on numerous boards, including Athletic, Officiating, Education, and Administration.
Don enjoyed a very successful career officiating. He officiated baseball, softball, football, boys and girls basketball, and worked 24 state tournaments. He was inducted into the Iowa Officials Hall of Fame.
Anyone that knew Don, knows he liked to have fun. He frequently displayed a positive attitude, smile and “thumbs up”. He was very encouraging. Don provided birthday calls to numerous family and friends. He provided a very enthusiastic message as he enjoyed lifting people’s spirit during their special day. Some waited for the call to go to voicemail so they could listen repeatedly.
He was especially proud of his children and grandchildren, and loved every opportunity to create new experiences with his family.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Armstrong. Don enjoyed golfing, especially the social aspect.
Don is survived by his son Anthony (Brenda) Gerlach of Greenville, SC; daughters Maria (Deryl) Cunningham of Glen Carbon, Illinois and Kristi Schmidt of West Des Moines, Iowa; and five grandchildren: Abigail, Payson, Ciara, Braylon, and Nyah. Donald is also survived by his siblings, Lois (Gordan) Doerr, Dale (Candi) Gerlach, and Carol Scherr; and sister-in-law, Jolene Gerlach. He was preceded in death by his wife, Madeline Gerlach, parents Alvin and Helen (Sperlich) Gerlach, a sister, Delma Doerr, brothers, Jerry, Del, Elmer, and Marvin Gerlach and sister-in-law, Marlene Gerlach.
The family would like to share their appreciation to the close knit neighborhood that always shared love and support and a special thank you to Roger and Tilla Weisbrod.
In lieu of flowers, Don’s family requests memorials to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Armstrong.
Online condolences may be left for Don’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com.
