Blessed to have enjoyed spending time with good friends and celebrating special events. God Bless Gretchen and the entire Gerber Family. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathleen and Frank

I work in activities at the nursing home Don resided at. He had a great smile. He was kind and had a witty sense of humor that everybody loved. He loved attending the musical entertainment. He would always sit in front of the potted plant while Gretchen sat next to him. It’s weird to see that spot empty or occupied by somebody else during the entertainment. Don will be deeply missed. My deepest condolences to Gretchen, Don II, Cindy, Jodie, Doug, and the rest of the family.  Don loved you all very much. He’s in a better place with Katherine. I wish you all the best. May Don’s memory be a blessing. May he rest in peace. So long Don. It was a pleasure. 

First of all, I want to extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences to Don's entire family. Please know that I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

After I graduated with my AAS degree in Funeral Service Education from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, I had the honor and privilege of having Don as my first full-time employer as a Missouri funeral director. I also obtained my license as a Missouri embalmer while serving families at the Gerber Chapel in Webster Groves, MO. I was always very impressed with not only Don's professionalism as a funeral director, but, even more importantly, his dedication to providing personalized care for each and every family and their loved one. I know that we made an impact on the lives of these families, and I am very grateful that I was able to know and work with Don.

Don and Gretchen, were our neighbors on Firethorn. They were wonderful people to live across the street from. They tolerated our children when they were young and our attempt at landscaping compared to theirs.

When my husband became ill, they were a source of strength. They checked in on us, took us to the airport when we went to Baltimore and helped our family when Greg died. I could never thank them enough. Don‘s guidance during Greg’s services was second to none. I don’t know what I would’ve done without him.

He is a soul missed and needed in the world today. I will look for him wherever I can find him. 

My love and condolences to Gretchen. There will never be another Christmas Card like yours and Don’s❤️

Judi Hellman



Dear Jodie , Maggie & Terry shields enjoyed time with your dad, I worked for him for three years , we went to church with you, Jodie at TOPC, you were and are a blessing to us. 

   If, in your life, you get to meet and share time with a person of Don's character, wit and wisdom, consider yourself blessed.  For twenty five years, my wife and I have shared a friendship with Don and Gretchen that has meant so much to us.  When Don was at the pool at Land's End in Treasure Island, life evolved around him.   Always quick witted, loving and compassionate, people just loved engaging him in stories, counsel and banter.   He was always a symbol of one enjoying life, despite his health challenges.  Don brought fun, understanding and wisdom to any group, large or small.
  We will miss him dearly.  His generousity and sincerity taught us all how to be kinder and understanding to those around us.  Godspeed, Dear Friend.
Larry and Verna Belair, Salem, NH

We pause to remember all the fun times our family had at the
lake house.  Don was always the gracious host, skiing into docks to 
splash everyone, so fun.  Then in later years we spent time at 
Lands End  with he and Gretchen.  More fun times.  Don was
the most fun loving, kindest, most generous person we knew.  He
will be greatly missed by our family and all that knew him.
     
                      Bob and Judy Buser
  

Dear  Gretchen, 
We recently met in the Hospitality room at GV as we talked during the dinner hour. I talked with Don on several occasions. I’m so sorry for the tremendous loss for you and your family. From our conversation, Don was there for so many people and a pillar of his community. My heart goes out to you and prayers during this difficult time.
Sincerely, 
Paulette and Denny Nowell

Don was a  guiding person of Webster Groves.
Sponsoring youth ball teams and other sports teams in Webster Groves.
His humor at lodge is stilled talked about.
The town of Webster Groves and I will miss him.

Your Lands End friends will miss your smile, and all the laughter you gave us every year! We’ll miss you dearly!!❤️

       With the passing of Don Gerber, my heartful prayers and deepest sympathy certainly go forth to Gretchen and to the Gerber Family.  The absence of Don from this good earth is, of course, an immense loss to those people who love him and, also, to the many thousands upon thousands of people whose lives are better to have known him.  Don is among the very, very few people that I have ever known for whom the word "suigeneris" most aptly and truly applies.   In this regard, Don was always a bigger-than-life presence whether he was in a stadium filled with thousands of people...or in a gathering of hundreds of people...or a meeting of a handful of people...or, especially, in a one-on-one conversation.  
       During his interactions with everyone, though, Don had the rare and wonderful ability to simultaneously be welcoming, friendly, generous, kind, entertaining, fun, wise, decent, serious, firm and, importantly, always  fair.  As I think further about Don at this sad time of his passing, I also have many fond recollections which have brought big smiles and, even, loud laughter to me.  Without going into detail, I will merely and briefly state that I remember quite well those occasions when Don cut off the ties of his fellow attendees at professional and business gatherings...when Don placed napkins upon the seats of new members of the Webster Groves Lions Club...and when Don dined on broken hot dogs at the barbecue events of the Webster Lions.  
       Suffice it to say, Don Gerber was a meaningful and a long-lasting  presence in my life.      

Don was the most passionate and generous man you could ever meet.  He was a fellow member of the Webster Groves Lions Club and active for decades up until recent years.  He and Gretchen were very passionate about St. Louis Crisis Nursery, donating and participating in fund raisers.  Don had a personality that never quit.  There was never a dull moment when he was around.  His kindness, laughter, fellowship and knowledge will absolutely be missed by our club.  Mike and I have so many fond memories of our time spent with Don.  Prayers for Gretchen and family 🙏

OBITUARY

Donald B. Gerber

November 17, 1929 – May 2, 2023

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

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