Arthur William Gerber, 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday evening, Feb. 9, 2013, at St. Marks Nursing Center in Austin, Minn.

Arthur was born at his parents’ farm south of Taopi, Minn., on June 22, 1921, the son of John and Martha (Blonigan) Gerber. Arthur was married to Jurine (Johnson) Gerber on April 23, 1946, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, Minn. They celebrated more than 66 years of marriage.

Arthur worked at Hormel Foods for 42 years. While employed at Hormel, he was drafted in to the Army during World War II. He was assigned to the 807 Chemical Unit of the Ninth Army Air Corps. He was stationed in Europe and served from 1942 to 1945 as a Tech 5 Corporal. Arthur has been honored by wife Jurine for services to his country by visiting the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. in 2004. She registered him on the website: www.wwiimemorial.com/default.asp? page=registry.asp&subpage=search.

Arthur was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Eagles and the Moose Club, where both he and Jurine loved to dance on weekends. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He loved walking, biking, traveling, feeding the birds in his backyard and spending time with his family. He enjoyed talking to people and took great pleasure in joking and making them laugh.

Though he was a full blooded German, after marrying Jurine, a Norwegian, he developed a fondness for the traditional Norwegian meal of lutefisk and lefse dinners during the Christmas season. This seasonal feast is now a cherished family tradition enjoyed by his children and grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Jurine; sons Daryl (Linda), Silver Bay, Minn., and Dale, Golden Valley, Minn.; daughter Sharlyn Hall, Greenfield, Minn.; four grandchildren, Rachelle Gerber, Sarah Stewart, Jacob Gerber and Cassidy Hall; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; two brothers Jerome, Adams, Minn., and Lawrence Gerber; sister-in-law Rosemary Johnson, Austin; in-laws Burnell and Phyllis Turvold, Beloit, Ill.; many nieces and nephews.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents; son Sheldon; brothers Raymond and Robert Gerber; sisters Serelda Kramer and Florence Fasbender; brother-in-law Dean Johnson; sister-in-laws Elvira Johnson, Arleen Reed and Cleone Johnson; nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Arthur’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. A wake will also be held Feb. 14 at Mayer Funeral Home. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Rosary will start at 4 and a prayer service will start at 6:30 p.m. Friends may also call at the church at 10 a.m. Friday. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Following services, lunch will be served at the Queen of Angels Cunningham Hall. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.