Obituary of Donna Lou (Boldt) Gerber

Donna (Boldt) was born on February 26, 1935 in Dundee, Michigan to Arnold and Sophia (Gaertner) Boldt. Donna graduated from Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Michigan with the Class of 1952. She was employed at Monroe Bank and Trust until she married her high school sweetheart, James Gerber on April 17, 1955. The couple welcomed their daughter, Brenda, in 1958. For many years Donna worked as the bookkeeper for Gaertner Oil, Inc. in Petersburg before retiring in 1999.

Donna and Jim loved traveling and camping together, including nineteen years spent wintering in Pharr, Texas. Donna also enjoyed crocheting, genealogy research and spending time with family. She was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Dundee where she and Jim founded the Home Visitation Group. Over the years she served as President of the Church Council, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, participated in their quilting group, sang in the choir, and camped with the St. John’s Good Time Camping Group.

Donna Lou (Boldt) Gerber, age 88, of Petersburg, Michigan passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 31, 2023. Her passing was preceded by her parents; two sisters: Ramona Beland and Velma Holtz; her niece: Joyce Gengler; and her nephew: Mark Beland.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of sixty-eight years: James Gerber; her daughter: Brenda Gerber; two nieces: Lynda (Barry) Sigle and Tricia Holtz; and two nephews: Thomas Holtz and John Beland; seven great nieces and nephews and eleven great-great nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 3:00 to 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734)529-3156. Donna will lie in state from 10:00am until a Worship Service celebrating her life at 11:00am on Monday, January 8, 2024 at St. John Lutheran Church; 460 Riley Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 followed by a procession to Pleasant View Cemetery, Petersburg for burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Donna’s honor may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guests may leave words of comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com