Brother Sir Knight Gilbert John Mamer, 95, of Owatonna, MN, passed away September 13, 2024, at Ridges Care Center in Burnsville, MN, after a brief time in hospice care. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary was recited at the church. Burial was at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. Military Honors were provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit.
Gilbert was born in Canby, MN, on May 29, 1929, to John and Mary (Mootz) Mamer. He was baptized, received Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. Leo Catholic Church. Gil graduated from Canby High School in 1947.
In 1950, Gil volunteered to serve in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Germany as the base carpenter leading a team of American and German carpenters and was honorably discharged in 1954. Upon returning home, Gil farmed for ten years in the St. Leo area.
In 1965, he married Mary T. Geurts in St. Leo, MN. They moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where they lived for three years before moving to Owatonna in 1970. He owned and operated Mamer Construction, a residential construction company until his retirement in 1991. He was proud to have built more than 100 homes during his career, with over 70 of them in Owatonna. He enjoyed fishing the lakes of Minnesota, collecting antiques and spending time in his many gardens. He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Msgr. Henry Speck 4th Degree Assembly and St. Serra Club.
Gilbert is survived by his wife Mary; three children: Ann (Steve) Lloyd, Lakeville, Joseph (Elin), Shakopee, and Robert, Saginaw, MI; four granddaughters; and his brother, John Mamer. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Roman and Donald. |