Gerald G. Koenders, age 60, died Wednesday, September 15, 2004, at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, after a courageous battle with cancer. His life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 9, 2004, at the First Presbyterian Church in Brookings, followed by a coffee reception for friends and relatives. Gerald Garrett Gerry Koenders was born September 14, 1944, at Watertown, South Dakota, to Don and Monica Koenders. He grew up in Castlewood and Brookings and later moved to Omaha, Nebraska, after graduating from Brookings High School. He spent most of his life in Arizona, California, and North Carolina, enjoying the sun, warm weather, auto sports, and his family. He was an individual that lived his life to the fullest and left lasting memories of kindness, generosity, and fun with those he encountered. His gentle, quiet spirit will be missed by many. Survivors include his loving wife, Mary; a son, Santee Koenders of Tucson, Arizona; a daughter, Brandee Applegate of Tucson; six step-children; 20 grandchildren; his father, Don Koenders, of Brookings; two sisters: Kay (David) Paulson of Park Rapids, Minnesota, Judy (Kenneth) Bevers of Crofton, Nebraska; four brothers: Dennis (Karen) Koenders of Athens, Alabama, Rich (Isis) Koenders of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Tony Koenders of Watertown, South Dakota, and Greg (Kari) Koenders of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his mother, Monica.