William Jerome Gerst, 67 of the town of Willow Springs near Darlington, died on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at his home. He was born on March 2, 1944, to John Gerst of Saginaw, Mich., and Gabriella “Ella” (Zenz) Gerst of Darlington. He was a longtime friend to Margaret Salinas of St. Paul, Minn., and was married to Christine Becker of St. Paul, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Calamine with Fr. Monte Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Darlington. Visitation and gathering will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Full obituary in the February 2, 2012 issue of the Republican Journal.