Palmer L. Gedde was born August 30, 1931 to Art and Alice Gedde, on a farm near Blue Grass, Minnesota. He lived there until the age of 3 when he moved with his parents to a small farm south of Wadena. At the age of 5 he moved with his parents into the town of Wadena where he resided for the next 18 years. He received his grade school and high school education in the Wadena Public School System, graduating from High School in 1949.

Following his graduation, he entered Concordia College from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953. It was also while he was at Concordia that he met his future wife, Beverly. They both had the privilege of singing in the Concordia Choir under Paul J. Christianson and it was while they were on their first tour together that Palmer asked her for a date – which she accepted. They were married June 1, 1953, and the rest is history. After graduation from Concordia, he entered Luther Theological Seminary where he received his Graduate of Theology degree in 1957. He was first called to Trinity Lutheran Church, Bonners Ferry, Idaho where he served from 1957 – 1961. In 1961, he accepted a call from the Division of American Missions of the ALC to start a new home mission congregation in Missoula, Montana. He was at Atonement Lutheran until 1970 when he accepted a call to become Sr. Pastor of Richland Lutheran Church, in Richland, Washington. He served there for 21 years until his retirement in 1991. It was also during this time in Richland that he earned his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Trinity Theological Seminary and Bible College. He was always thankful for the three places that he served since each in its own unique way was a specific challenge and opportunity for him. In 1999, he was awarded The Faithfulness In Ministry Cross for Urban/Suburban Ministry from Luther Seminary in recognition of his years in ministry.

Following his retirement, they made their home at Lake Limerick near Shelton, Washington. After serving three interims: one in Juneau, Alaska; one in Colorado Springs, Colorado and one back in his first parish at Bonners Ferry, Idaho, they began to spend at least 6 months of the year in Yuma, Arizona. In 2004, they sold their home at Lake Limerick and made their year-round home in Yuma, Arizona. For several years, they lived in a small park model in a co-op park called Rancho Bonitos. Finally, they made the decision to custom order and move into a new 2007 manufactured home in Coyote Ranch, a home big enough to allow them to get their furniture out of storage in Olympia. In Yuma, he had the privilege of working with another pastor in serving a winter congregation in Quartzsite, Arizona, approximately 85 miles from Yuma. He also enjoyed occasional preaching and teaching at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran in Yuma,

Palmer and Bev were both active in choir and Palmer served on several different ministry teams. He and Beverly enjoyed cruising and had the privilege of going on 7 different cruising adventures. The very first was a cruise to the Holy Lands, Egypt, and Greece. The later ones took them to the Caribbean and to several of the Mexican Riviera resort communities.

He is the author of three published books; co-author of two others. During his years in the parish, he also served on many and various District and Synod committees. He loved preaching and teaching. His hobbies included writing, woodworking, motorcycling, being on the water, and trading cars. He also loved music and was the composer of several songs suitable for a church choir.

He is survived by his faithful and loving wife Beverly of 57 years; three children: Terri Gedde Butler of Tumwater, Wash.; Jacki Petersen of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Peter Gedde of Olympia, Wash., their spouses, and 7 grandchildren; a brother, Larry Gedde, his wife Evelyn, and their 3 children, several cousins, one uncle and aunt.

Service to be held at Richland Lutheran Church on Saturday November 27, 2010 at 1 pm.

Memorials may be given to Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church in Yuma, Arizona; Richland Lutheran Church in Richland, Washington; Good News Media Ministry c/o Richland Lutheran church, or Hospice of Yuma in Yuma Arizona.