Relationship to conference: Retired elder

Date of death: June 21, 2022 at age 100

Arrangements: A celebration of life will be held July 17 at 3 p.m. at the Alexandria Covenant Church (4005 Dakota St.).

Appointment information: Rev. Dr. Gess was ordained as a deacon in 1946 and as an elder in 1947. He served Minnesota churches in Rice, Sartell, and Mayer. He also served as a medical missionary in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. He retired in 1991.

In 2015, at age 93, Gess returned to Sierra Leone to bring medical and moral support during the most severe Ebola outbreak in recorded history. He was one of the first doctors to identify and notify the medical community on how Ebola affects the eyes, causing vision loss. Here are two reflections from that time on Feb. 11 and March 24.

Gess was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Gess, and parents, Arthur Gess and Francis Emma Gess. He is survived by his children, Timothy (Joanne), Mary (Stephen), Elizabeth (Robert), John (Ruth), Paul (Arlet), and Andrew (Carrie); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Cards of condolence can be sent to Tim Gess, in care of CGVF, 815 Glacier Ave., Alexandria, MN 56308

Memorials are preferred to Central Global Vision Fund, which supports the Lowell and Ruth Gess UMC Eye Hospital (Advance # 09229A).

An obituary will be published in the Alexandria Echo Press and the Star Tribune soon.