Dennis Gerber

Dennis John Gerber, 82, of Brainerd passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at home with family and friends after a long and courageous battle with leukemia. Services will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, March 1, 2024, at Timberwood Church in Nisswa. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to the service. A light meal will follow. 

Denny was born April 23,1941, in Cokato, Minnesota, to John and Helen Gerber. He was a graduate of Howard Lake High School and attended Saint Paul Technical College. Den was united in marriage to Kay Gilmer on June 9, 1961. The couple lived in Columbia Heights before moving to the Brainerd Lakes Area in 1983. 

Denny began his career as an engineer for 3M and finished his career at A-Tek Inc. in Brainerd, Minnesota, as an Engineering Manager. Early in his career Denny designed and patented an autobody frame straightening machine known as the square linear 360. Denny also worked with his son Scott designing, patenting, and selling a dock system known as the “Unidock.” 

Denny loved to snowmobile, travel, and sail. As an avid fan of all forms of auto racing, he traveled to many events with family and friends. Denny and Scott also raced snowmobiles and Hobie Cat sailboats. Denny spent many years modifying and improving everything from snowmobiles to anything around the home. He believed that there was not a product or a situation that couldn’t be improved. Denny’s love of vehicles inspired him to buy a 2008 yellow Corvette, the car of his dreams. He made several road trips with his wife Kay prior to her passing, including the famous Route 66. 

After Kay’s passing, Denny was blessed to find love once again and married Katy Johnson. They were kindred spirits, sharing passions and values, enjoying life to its fullest in his remaining years.

One of Denny’s greatest joys was spending time with his precious granddaughter Meghan. He was truly a proud Grandpa and enjoyed every minute of their time together, whether working in the garage, detailing cars, taking car and boat trips, or just hanging out. Denny was further blessed when his great-granddaughter Sophia was born. He treasured a recent visit with Meghan, Sophia, and Jordan (Meghan’s fiancé) to Thumper Pond.

Denny’s love for his family, friends and neighbors reflected and flowed out from his deep love for his Lord Jesus. Denny was a devout Christian man who humbly served others and the community. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. His volunteer work included Habitat for Humanity, the local food shelf, and Lake Shore Planning & Zoning. He was also very active at Timberwood Church where he was a charter member. Denny thoroughly enjoyed his time there with the “cleaning crew,” sharing many laughs together. 

Denny’s kind, compassionate, gentle spirit and great sense of humor will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know him. He is survived by wife Katy Gerber of Brainerd; son Scott D. Gerber and wife Karla of Ham Lake; grandchild Meghan J. Gerber; great-grandchild Sophie M. Siegfried; special nieces and nephews and lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Kay Gerber, and brother Dudley Gerber.