Robert Leroy Gerber

Lester, IA

      Robert Gerber age 88, of Lester, IA died Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA.

     Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, IA. Burial will follow in the Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery at Lester, IA.

     Visitation will be Tuesday, September 28^th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Apostolic Christian Church Fellowship Hall in Lester with the family present.

     Robert Leroy Gerber, the son of Theodore “Ted” and Emma (Feucht) Gerber, was born on May 16, 1933, and raised on a farm near Lester, IA.  Bob attended school in Lester and graduated from Lester High School in 1951.  Following high school, he enlisted in the US Army and served active duty during the Korean Conflict as a helicopter mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1953. After his discharge he worked at Mogler Farm Industries. In the Spring of 1956, Bob surrendered his life to Jesus and became a member of the Apostolic Christian Church. On April 28, 1957, he was united in marriage to Nancy Wysong in Bern, KS. Bob and Nancy made their home in Lester while he worked for Graybar Electric in SF, SD. In 1965 they started Gerber Plumbing, Heating & Elec. In 1977 Bob & Nancy sold the business and moved to Taylor, MO for a short time. Upon returning to Lester, they started Northwest Iowa Steel and Gerber Builders. Bob began retirement in 2000.  Bob enjoyed fishing, camping and family gatherings. His greatest joy was being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

     Bob was a good husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Nancy. His five children: Stephanie (Paul) Byrne of Peoria, IL, Dan (Darcy Jo) Gerber of Lester, IA, Steve (Darcy) of Lester, IA, Mark Gerber of Lester, IA and Jill (Kevin) Erickson of Lonsdale, MN; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren: five siblings: Ernest Gerber of Danville, IN, Wayne Gerber of Mansfield, OH, Pauline Teubel of Dunlap, IL, William (Erma) Gerber of Lester, IA and James (Marlene) Gerber of Larchwood, IA; many nieces, nephews and numerous extended family. Bob & Nancy hosted many foreign exchange students over the years who the family considers sons & daughters and brothers & sisters including Gustavo, Ricardo, Claudia, Alex, Paula, Jan and Cati. 

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted & Emma Gerber; brother, John Gerber; two brothers-in-law, David Teubel & Jack Wysong and three sisters-in-law, Dorothy, Donna and Sharon Gerber.