Theodore “Ted” Burdette Gamm

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, January 25, 1933
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Age:
87 years old

Visitation

Date: Monday March 16, 2020
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Funeral Service

Date: Monday March 16, 2020
Time: 11:00 am

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Burial

Location: Taylorville Cemetery

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, January 25, 1933
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Age:
87 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, January 25, 1933
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Age:
87 years old

Theodore “Ted” Burdette Gamm

Theodor Burdette Gamm, age 87 of Wabasha, formerly of Rochester died Thursday March 12, 2020 at St. Elizabeth Heath Care Center in Wabasha of renal failure.

Ted Gamm was born January 25, 1934 in Volga, Iowa to John and Anna (Burrack) Gamm. The youngest of eight children, he attended school in Volga , Iowa and helped work the family farm. After high school he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War.

After returning home Ted married his loving wife Janice L. Kaune on April 1, 1956 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, IA.  He started working for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Waterloo, IA. and the couple started their family. Greg, Jennifer, and Jeff were all born in Iowa, Northwestern Bell moved the family to Omaha and then to Rochester, MN. where ted was the district plant manager and in charge of all of southeast, MN. While in Rochester he was asked to take a position with American Bell International and the family moved to Tehran, Iran the summer of “78” and ultimately had to return during the revolution and over throw of the Shaw the winter of “79”. Ted finished his career working for AT&T in Naperville, Il. and untimely retired in 1986.

After retirement Ted started Technical Support, a self owned business where he flew phone equipment all over the country and did installations for his clients. Flying was something Ted cherished throughout his life. He even survived a plane crash in his early days as a pilot flying single engine planes. His other hobby was building the cabin  in Wabasha while  living in Rochester. It was  a great place for family and friend to fish, boat, water ski, grill  and have fires. Later Ted and Jan remodeled the cabin to become their permanent home.

Ted was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Wabasha, The Pioneer Club in Rochester, past President of Southeastern Minnesota Flying Club, and was in charge of the Port Program, which helped troubled teens in Rochester for several years.

In addition to his loving wife of 64 years, he is survived by three children, Greg (Rosanna) Rochester, Jennifer Garvey (fiancé Eric Smith) of Bettendorf, IA, Jeff (Kristy) Lexington, Texas; eight grandchildren, Bridget (Chad), Bronwyn (Brian), Shaina, Amanda, Abby, Jonathan, Stephen, Eben, and two and a half great grandchildren Marilyn, Oliver, and soon to be Jameson. Ted is also survived by brothers-in-law Alan Tweedy, and Norm (Connie) Kaune, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, three brothers, and sister-in-law Deb Tweedy.

A Funeral Service for Ted will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday March 16, 2020 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, Minnesota with Rev. David Knox officiating. The family will greet friends one hour before the service. Burial will be in Taylorville Cemetery, Arlington, IA on Tuesday March 17, 2020.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or Faith Lutheran Church in Wabasha, MN.

Condolences

The family of Theodore “Ted” Burdette Gamm has received the following condolences.

Dear Jan, Greg, Jennifer and Jeff:


How blessed were all of you to have Ted in your life!  I will always remember him as this big, tall, amazing man-he was one of my first supervisors at the telephone company in the early 70’s; what a kind, caring gentleman.  I will fondly remember and thank him for his support and encouragement in my very early years with “Ma Bell”.  He was one of the best!  Thank you, Ted...I am so glad I got to see you and Jan last summer—you looked exactly how I will always remember you.  Hugs to you and your family.


Sandy Nelson


 

Dear Janice, 


It is with heartfelt sympathy that I send you and your family condolences for your loss of your husband, Ted, and Father and my Uncle.  Many fond memories and the last was at Katherine’s funeral that Tony and I attended.  Why is it we only remember the sad or happy occasions.  Tony passed away last year and he really liked Ted!  We both loved talking to him.  Being the youngest of 8 siblings, he had a knack of solving everyone’s problems or at least wanting to help.  A true soldier for any occasion.  God Bless you and your family!  Rest peacefully Ted!


Your Niece Barbara

Janice and family. My heart goes out to you and your family. Uncle Ted was so special to me. I remember the trip he took grandpa and grandma to see Evelyn. I sat in the back with Grandma and got car sick. He was such a gentleman. Many other times in your home and his office are memorable.  The last memory was at Evelyns service. He gave the most beautiful eulogy.  
I am planning to be at the cemetery. I have been talking of coming to see you for the past few months. You’ve been in my thoughts. Know that my prayers are with you all as are the prayers of my girls and their families. Love and hugs. Kay

Janice and Family,  I am so sorry for your loss of Ted.  Judy and I have been making plans to visit this summer as we have not been good at communicating.  I will always remember the love that each of you had for my parents and realize now that the card game in the sky can have another seat at the table.  Ted was always my favorite Uncle as he seemed to always have an interest in what Bob and I were doing in life and talked to Mom about us.


I loved to get into the Republican vs Democrat conversation since he was such a strong supporter.  I will never forget the trip to Mason City and the air show with the Thunderbirds.  He took us up in the 4 seater before the show, that was my first flight and I think my Dad was more scared than Bobby and I.  This is a crazy time we have going on and I was hoping to come to the funeral as I would love to see all of you again.  I have a slight cold but may make it Taylorville Tuesday for the burial.


If any of you could give me some idea as to the time of the burial I would appreciate that.  319-573-5491 is my phone number.


Janice, all of the phone numbers that I have for you do not go through.  Silly because I know my Mom never had that problem.  We hope to get to visit with you this Summer and I will always have love for you as well because you bought me my first McDonalds in Mason City ( yum. 9 cent hamburger and shake.)  I love you and if there is anything that Judy or I can do please don't hesitate to ask.


Gary

Dear Janice and Family,  My Thoughts and Prayers are with you these days.    Am sending my thoughts with


Eccleslastes  3 :1-8

My heart hurts!  He was such a wonderful man.  He taught me how to waterski on the Mississippi, no easy feat, let me tell you! 


I have so many great memories of time with the Gamm Family growing up.  He will be truly missed.


My love to you all....