Arlene Betty Gerber, age 83, of Luverne, Minnesota, died peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
Funeral service will be Sunday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Luverne. A graveside committal service will be Monday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Sartell, Minnesota. Memorials may be directed to the Samartian’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org). To sign an online registry, visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Arlene Betty Gerber was born on March 8, 1940, to Rev. Percy and Flora (Schuldt) Bruns in Boise, Idaho. She lived her childhood and youth in Idaho, Montana, and Iowa, graduating from Riceville, Iowa. She furthered her education at Sioux Falls College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Arlene was united in marriage to Jim Guy on Aug. 7, 1960. They lived in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. Arlene taught school and was co-owner of a resort in northern Minnesota. She moved to Luverne, Minnesota, and worked for Pamida from 1981 to 2002. She was mother to four children as well as grandma to 13 and great-grandma to 34.
During these years the weddings started, which she enjoyed so much, welcoming more to the family. Another joy was having grandchildren come to visit, and she loved their excitement to be at grandma’s.
On Oct. 26, 2002, Arlene was united in marriage to Wesley Gerber. They made their home in Sartell, Minnesota. Together they enjoyed retirement, spending time with family, serving the Lord, and traveling.
Arlene was a member of First Baptist Church in Luverne before moving to Sartell. She served on many committees and boards. Later she became a member of Westwood Community Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with her husband, Wesley. The passing of her husband brought her back to Luverne, where she once again attended First Baptist Church.
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, Arlene died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne at the age of 83 years, seven months and 30 days.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, David (Lisa) Guy of New Lisbon, Wisconsin, Bruce (Carol) Guy of Roseau, Minnesota, Deanne (Tom) Beson of Laingsburg, Michigan, and Timothy (Renee) Guy of Luverne; 13 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; three stepchildren, Janice (John) Petersen of Cumming, Georgia, Steven (Arlette) Gerber of Orono, Minnesota, and Mark (Colleen) Gerber of Monticello, Minnesota, along with seven stepgrandchildren and 14 stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. and Mrs. Percy J. Bruns; husband, Wes; sisters, Doris, Marilyn, and Ruth as an infant.