Luella Joan Gerig

Luella Joan (Albrecht) Gerig, 93, of South Bend passed away on Monday February 10, 2025, at the Hubbard Hill Assisted Living in Elkhart.

Luella was born on January 29, 1932, in Middlebury, IN to the late Aaron and Kathryn (Hooley) Albrecht.

Luella married Eldon Lavern Gerig on August 8, 1954, sharing nearly 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2014.

Luella is survived by her children; Nita (Tim Johnson) Gerig of New Carlisle, Winston (Sibyl Graber) Gerig of Goshen, and Kevin (Beth Good) Gerig of Mishawaka. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her brother, Willard (Mary) Albrecht also survives.

Luella was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon Lavern Gerig, her parents, and her brothers; Leonard Albrecht and Alfred Albrecht.

Luella graduated from Middlebury High School and went on to graduate from Goshen College in 1954 with a B.A. in education. Luella and Lavern started their lives together in Iowa City, Iowa where she taught school in one of the last remaining one room school houses in Iowa. They then spent two years in voluntary service at a mission hospital in Aibonito, Puerto Rico. The couple returned to Indianapolis where Lavern completed a surgery residency. In 1962 the family moved to Mishawaka to make their home. Luella dedicated her energy to raising the three children. As the children grew, she became very involved in the Mishawaka school system PTA, eventually becoming the Mishawaka PTA council president. She spent countless hours volunteering in the schools and their church, Kern Road Mennonite Church. Luella loved books, and started the library at Kern Road Church, maintaining the role of librarian for over sixty years. She was also instrumental in starting and volunteering for the local Ten Thousand Villages store. In Luella's later years, the time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren gave her great joy - baking, reading, and playing games. The game cabinet in her home was a popular spot for all!

A memorial service for Luella will take place at 11 am on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Kern Road Mennonite Church, 18211 Kern Rd. South Bend. Luella will be laid to rest in a private graveside service at Yellow Creek Mennonite Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Luella's name may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

Online condolences to the family may be sent via the Palmer Funeral homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com