Phillip Lane Gjerstad, 68, died Saturday, August 21, 2010 due to complications that occured after his stem cell transplant on September 15, 2009. He was born on October 16, 1941 at Fort Dodge, Iowa the son of Harold and Leona Arlene (Lane) Gjerstad.

He was raised with two brothers and a sister on farms in Humboldt County, Iowa. Phil attended school at Livermore and later graduated in 1959 from Twin Rivers High School. During his senior year at Twin Rivers he was captain of their undefeated football team. Phil played the accordian and participated in Little League, 4-H, and FFA. He also worked for local farmers. In 1963 he graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa.

Phil began his career buying cattle in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. He moved to Dodge City in 1968, and participated in the tremendous growth of the southwest Kansas cattle industry. He started his own business, Gjerstad Cattle Company, and was actively involved in the marketing of finished feedlot cattle for local western Kansas feedlots for over 40 years. His integrity and effective leveraging skills grew the company into a successful independent marketing business. An Iowa farm boy at heart, Phil enjoyed working his own cattle and farm ground and was pleased to provide his parents with a Kansas farming experience during their retirement. Phil felt that the most important aspect of his life was to be a good role model - especially for his children and grandchildren - and he achieved that goal by gaining their love and respect.

He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka and a former member of Christ The King Lutheran Church in Dodge City where he served as President of the church council. He served in the Air National Guard at Fort Dodge, Iowa. Phil was on the Advisory Board at Manor of the Plains, was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, the Kansas Cattleman's Association, and the National Cattleman's Association. He was extremely active in the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program and proudly served as a Director for six years.

Phil is survived by his wife, LaVada Gjerstad of Maple Hill; one daughter, Kerry Driscoll and husband Ryan of Roscoe, Illinois; one son, John Imel and wife Jenny of Spokane, Washington; two brothers, Dean Gjerstad and wife Diane of Auburn, Alabama and Jay Gjerstad and wife Marlys of Indianola, Iowa; one sister, Diane Gjerstad of Wichita; and five grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua, and Jarod Imel, Mia and Tessa Driscoll. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Funeral service will be held at Christ The King Lutheran Church - 1008 West Beeson - Dodge City on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 1:30 PM with Rev. Jim Bender presiding. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home - 1901 Sixth Avenue - Dodge City on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the family present from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Burial will be at Indian Mound Cemetery in Humboldt, Iowa on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 3:00 PM. Memorials can be made to K.A.R.L. Program or Faith Lutheran Church of Topeka in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.