Darlene Marie Gerber, 86, of Adams, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at the Adams Health Care Center.

Darlene was born on April 14, 1933, in Osage, Iowa, the oldest child of Mathias and Adeline Merten. She grew up on a farm in McIntyre, Iowa, along the state line.

Darlene graduated from the Adams High School. She attended a church sponsored activity with other friends at the Brownsdale Roller Rink, where she met Jerome Gerber. They were married on Aug. 19, 1952. She accompanied Jerome during his military service at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was a farm wife after his military discharge. She was a school cook at Sacred Heart for over 20 years.

Darlene and Jerome enjoyed wedding dances and a range of road trips – from going to the Dairy Queen, to visiting family and friends and going to Alaska. She was very active in CCW church activities and enjoyed cooking, gardening and spending time with her family during her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Duane (Louise) Merten of Adams. Darlene is survived by her husband, Jerome; her children, Dennis (Elaine) Gerber of Austin, Minnesota, Diane (Dana) Inman of Rochester, Minnesota, Gary (Jan) Gerber of Rochester and Brian Gerber of LeRoy, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings, Eugene (Joyce) Merten of Adams, Herbert (Charlene) Merten of Taopi, Minnesota, Mary Ann (Delphin) Mueller of Austin, Elaine (Ron) Schemmel of Savage, Minnesota, and Eileen (Ervin) Berg of Rochester; and nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, with a 4 p.m. Rosary and 7 p.m. parish prayer service, at the Adams Funeral Home. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.