M.J. Gerber

Mathias Joseph Gerber, known to many as M.J., Matt and Sonny, was born in Nazareth TX to Mathias and Rose Gerber on July 6, 1926. He was welcomed home by 6 sisters: Ann, Helen, Hilda, Meda, Isabelle, and Amy. He grew up in Nazareth TX, helping his dad on the farm and working some at their gas station. He graduated from Nazareth High School. He was raised in a home where he was taught to know, to love, and to serve the Lord. This is how he lived his life.

He was drafted into the ARMY in November 1944, experienced boot camp in AR, rode by train to CA, and then rode a troop ship to the Philippines. He had never been away from home. MJ was not fond of water, he always said he swam like a rock, and that ocean was huge! He spent a lot of time below deck. He was in the 11th airborne division as a glider trooper and was standing on the airstrip when General Douglas McCarther landed in Japan and declared WWII had come to an end.  He was on a 60 day furlough when he met Lucy Ann Skarke. The love letters soared across the world as he did extensive traveling in Europe for another year and a half. He was discharged after 25 months and 15 days. He said, “There were many scary days and days of homesickness, but the army experience was very educational and will always be remembered.”

He returned to TX where he continued courting Lucy Ann Skarke whom he married on September 14, 1949. They lived in Amarillo where he lay driveways and sanded and polished hardwood floors with his brothers-in-law. They lived in a half garage. His dream was to be a farmer, so they left the city to farm outside of Umbarger TX and lived in a small one room house. Their first two sons, Gerald and Glenn, were born while living there, and their cradle was a dresser drawer. They later moved closer to town into Ann's families house and they welcomed Ann’s two brothers, Jim and Bob and sister Dorothy, into their home until they finished school and ventured out on their own. Bob and Dorothy challenged them by playing hooky from school. MJ and Ann had 4 more children, Dick, and finally the long awaited daughter Darlene, Keith and Lyn, while living in Umbarger.

They had a lively lifestyle filled with dances and family gatherings and a huge Catholic community. However, MJ was looking at other possibilities in the 60’s to raise their family. He and Ann traveled to Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado exploring work opportunities before deciding Baca County farming was promising. February 9, 1965, they arrived in Walsh CO.  They moved to Two Buttes, CO in 1968 and resided there where M.J. farmed with his sons until 1982.

May 1982 they moved to Fort Collins where they spend the next 20 years. MJ worked in an investment company, managed apartments, operated an ice cream truck even having grandchildren work with them as they drove the routes; worked in a rose greenhouse and delivered the long-stem roses all over the front range. He then became a distributor for Vilas Lollipops and candle factory. MJ traveled all over Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska with the home base in Fort Collins, CO. He stopped traveling to be the maintenance man for their senior living community, mowing and improving the park appearance, maintaining their swimming pool, and their clubhouse. He and Ann were members of athletic clubs and loved touring the area. They walked and bicycled for many years. Many wonderful memories were made at family reunions celebrated in Fort Collins and at Red Feather Canyon.

In 2002, they moved to Manter KS to live near their son Glenn and wife Suszette and the family in SE Colorado. They enjoyed seeing all the grandchildren in their various activities. Their home became grand central station as all the family stopped to visit, have BBQ’s, play games and gather for holiday celebrations. They entertained Darlene and Curtis most Sundays, playing dominoes and cards. MJ helped Dick and Keith with their harvests, and assisted everyone by running after parts while they worked. Then he became employed as a janitor at the Johnson School District where the students learned to love him.

He was dedicated to his Lucy Ann and cared for her lovingly until she entered the Alzheimer’s Unit in Springfield CO in 2014. He spent much time traveling to visit with her, and finally moved to Springfield with son Gerald and wife Jo Ann to be closer to Ann for visiting. He then admitted himself to LTCC in 2015. He had many friends, loved to tease everyone, and chose to find the humor in the moment and the joy in the day. He has been a great example for the rest of us.

MJ lived a long, vibrant and colorful life. His love of God and commitment to his Catholic community was his guiding light. We loved him dearly as a husband, dad, grandpa, relative, and friend. He will be missed for his wisdom, thoughtfulness, hard work ethic, wit and sense of humor. Life is lived by those who design it. He made a beautiful design.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mathias and Rose Gerber, brother John that died soon after birth, and sisters Ann, Helen, Hilda, Meda, Isabelle, and Amy, and 2 grandsons Sean and Chad Gerber.

MJ is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Lucy Ann Gerber; his children Gerald & Jo Ann Gerber, Glenn and Suzette Gerber, Dick Gerber, Darlene and Curtis Bryan, Keith and Shannon Gerber, and Lyn Margolis; 33 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to SECHD Long Term Care Center, 373 E 10th Ave, Springfield CO 81073 or Annunciation Catholic Church, PO Box 174, Springfield CO 81073