In early April, DeAnna Gerber (nee DeMeritt) was preparing for an excursion to Copenhagen and Russia. Always ready to travel, DeAnna had been on 15 trips in 2018 alone, primarily in the United States. More were planned for this year, some with Red Hats, her social club.
Several days before her departure date, DeAnna experienced persistent pain that became so great, sometimes nearly debilitating, she had scans and other tests.
The doctor called two days before the trip, with the diagnosis of cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, in several places.
If you go on the trip, you may die, he cautioned.
Upon canceling her plans, she spent the next seven months undergoing chemotherapy.
The drugs worked, and DeAnna has been in remission since October.
DeAnna spent Thanksgiving week with Beverly and me a delight for us.
DEANNA was raised outside Savonburg. She began school at 4 sister Darlene, 14 years older, taught at a nearby country school and graduated from Humboldt High in 1961.
She attended several colleges.
Her mother, Wilma, also had returned to college and later taught for a few years.
DeAnna recalled a time the two were driving to Savonburg for a visit when a deer ran out into the road. DeAnna lost control and slammed into a culvert.
She left seven teeth imbedded in the cars dashboard, the rest were shattered. That was before seatbelts and airbags.
I walked a mile to a house, her face battered, her clothing soaked with blood.
She was treated at Chanutes hospital, and then transferred to Kansas City. Twenty-two operations followed to realign bones.
Her mother, miraculously, suffered no serious injuries.
DEANNAS education included junior colleges in Iola and Chanute as well as Emporia State and the University of Kansas. Despite accumulating more than enough credits to graduate, Deanna never could settle on a degree.
A stint at student teaching in physical education left her demoralized.
I couldnt control the kids, she said, and left the program.
She eventually landed in Houston in 1968, pursued a cosmetology degree, and got a job.
One day, a nice-looking man approached her and asked for a date. I figured what the heck.
On that first date, he asked me to marry him.
A bit befuddled, but always in control, she agreed to meet Eugene Gerber at a restaurant in a few days. He offered a diamond ring; she accepted. The next day they flew to Las Vegas and returned Mr. and Mrs., he 23 years her elder.
Over the next 18 years we moved 18 times, to accommodate his job as a purchasing agent.
Gerber had two teen-aged children. They added Gena and Garth through adoptions. Later they had two children of their own, Gara, who died in 2006 of an apparent reaction to medication, and Genessa.
Her husband died in 1986.
DeAnna raised their children, often working 60 to 70 hours a week to get by. The kids sometimes asked why I was never home. I told them: Im working to take care of you. We survived.
In more recent years, with the kids doing well and her retired, DeAnna has spent much time with Red Hats, going to conventions and traveling.
Her children encouraged DeAnna to move in with them, each for an extended time, so they could keep track of her. DeAnna was with Genessa, in Ohio, when her cancer was diagnosed.
During its treatment she had emergency colon surgery for a tear, caused by ulcers doctors said were from painkillers. I took Advil religiously.
With her cancer in remission, she is back in Houston, planning her next adventure.
