Allen Robert Gerhardt, age 65 of Hammond, died surrounded by family on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at his residence after an exhaustive fight with Multiple Myeloma cancer. Al was born on July 1, 1954, in Litchfield, Minnesota, to Arthur and Loretta (Groff) Gerhardt. He graduated from St. Croix Central High School in the class of ’72. On February 5, 1977, he married the love of his life, Luanne “Lute” Frank, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in New Richmond. The couple were blessed with four beautiful daughters and made their home in Hammond. Al grew up farming and later started his sales career at Triangle Equipment in Baldwin WI. He then worked in seed sales for Golden Harvest, Lemke Seed, and Dahlman Seed Company. Before retirement, Al worked for many years crop farming at Apple River Farms in Star Prairie.

Al loved spending time with his family and cherished his girls and grandchildren more than anything. He was a “say it how it is” kinda guy.  The strong, stubborn side of him was quickly erased by his teddy bear hugs and infectious smile. Big Al always opened his heart and home to anyone he met.

Al was extremely fond of fishing, hunting, golfing, strumming on his guitar, and being on the back of a horse. He relished in restoring lawn tractors and working on small engines; he loved cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and watching Nascar.  Al held strong Republican beliefs and had the desire to “Make America Great Again.”

Al will remain in the hearts of his wife of 42 years, Luanne; daughters, Michelle (Eric) Egger, Kristen (Tony) Stokes, Lori, and Lindsey (Isaac Lehmann); grandchildren, Alexia, Lucas, Aaron; Allen ‘AJ’, Avalon, Anthony Jr.; Phoenix; and Mason; great-granddaughter, Adalynn; siblings Judy Gerhardt (Lyle Nippoldt) and Dale (Debbie) Gerhardt; sisters-in-law Vicki Gerhardt and Sherry Walker and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, family, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Loretta and his brothers Glenn, Don and Vern.

A memorial service to celebrate Al’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. SUNDAY, December 1st at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1250 Broadway St., Hammond, WI. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on FRIDAY, November 29th at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 1010 Newton St., Baldwin, WI, as well as one hour prior to the service at church on SUNDAY.