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Gerald Totman, 99, Pipestone died Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society in Pipestone.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Pipestone with Rev. Tim Johnson officiating. Visitation began at 9:30 a.m.
Final Page was provided by the Pipestone Fire Department.
Military honors were provided by Michael Boock American Legion Post 6, Pipestone.
Inurnment was at New Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone.
Gerald Duane Totman, was born January 2, 1926 to Valdi and Lois (Reynolds) Totman in Pipestone, Minn. He spent his childhood growing up in Pipestone with his siblings. He graduated from Pipestone High School in 1944. Following graduation, Gerald entered the United States Army on November 27, 1944 and proudly served until being honorably discharged on August 16, 1946. A few years later, Gerald met Audrey Cambern and they were married on July 14, 1951. Together the couple had four children, Jerry Lee, Thomas, Samuel, and Timothy. Gerald and Audrey raised their family together until Audrey passed away on September 11, 1968. Gerald later married Connie Wynn on April 19, 1970 and together they had their daughter Tonia. Gerald and Connie later divorced. In June of 1987, Gerald was united in marriage to Rose Gardner, where he gained two step-children, Mark and Laurie. Gerald spent most of his years in Pipestone but spent time pursuing different jobs in other cities such as Marshall, Minn., Sioux Falls, S.D. and Tempe, Ariz. He later retired back to Pipestone in 2005 to be with family and friends.
You could almost always find Gerald driving his golf cart around Pipestone with his dogs Rusty and Jagger by his side. He enjoyed going for motorcycle rides, dancing, and listening to country western music. Gerald had taught dancing lessons when he lived in Arizona. He found great joy in watching sports, especially baseball, softball, and volleyball. He attended as many Pipestone A’s baseball games and sprint car races at Huset’s Speedway that he could – always bringing a pillow case full of popcorn for the kids that came with him. One thing many people don’t know about Gerald, was that he had a pilot’s license.
Gerald was so friendly and always wanted to meet new people, he loved a good party. Gerald was always the first to holler “Cheers” at any gathering of family or friends. He firmly believed that a person should work hard for things and not expect them to be given with no effort made to attain it. He was very proud of his time in the United States Army and his time with the Pipestone Fire Department. Gerald greatly enjoyed attending fire department events and reminiscing with the guys. He loved little kids and would always be seen laughing with a big smile on his face when he was around them.
Gerald passed away peacefully June 3, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone, at the age of 99 years, five months and one day.
Gerald is lovingly remembered by two sons, Samuel Totman of Jasper, Minn. and Timothy (Judy Wiese) Totman of Pipestone, Minn.; daughter, Tonia (Brian) Lewis of Bonneau, S.C.; step-son, Mark (Nancy) Gardner of Munds Park, Ariz.; step-son-in-law, Doug (Robin) Fortune of Mankato, Minn.; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wives, Audrey (Cambern) Totman and Rose (Gardner) Totman; sons, Jerry Lee Totman and Thomas Totman; step- daughter, Laurie Fortune; grandchild, Timothy Pheng Chanh; his brothers, Donald, Earl, Robert and Harold Totman; his sisters, Viola Kennedy, Cleo Steele and Dorthy Brockberg; and Gerald’s life-long friend, John Hess.
(Hartquist Funeral Home,
Pipestone Chapel)