Margery May (Gerbers) Nerheim's Obituary
Margery May (Gerbers) Nerheim died at peace, in comfort at home Tuesday. April 23. 2024.
Born to Walter and Cassie Gerbers of Riverton Township, well known and loved in the Scottville farm community, Meg was raised on the family farm with her two sisters, collectively known as the Gerbers Girls. Following graduation from Scottville High School and attendance at Muskegon Business College, she took a wartime clerical position at Continental Motors in Muskegon. Married to Chester W. Nerheim of Ludington in 1948 they lived in Ludington, Grand Rapids, Cadillac, and Hastings before settling in Roosevelt Park and Norton Shores in 1958 to raise their four children.
Her long and loving marriage was an inspiration and she always kept that relationship the guiding strength of the family. She and Chet shared a life filled with events delightfully typical of their generation, family, golf, tennis, bridge clubs and traveling together until his death in 2004.
At the urging of a friend, she reluctantly entered the 1960 Mrs. Muskegon contest and won. Charmed by her good looks, class, demeanor, modesty, chicken casserole and daisy ringed chocolate cake, Statewide officials awarded first prize in culinary arts and overall runner up in the subsequent Mrs. Michigan contest.
During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s she and Chet spent summers as proprietors of vacation properties: Barothy Lodge and then a small Lake Michigan resort in Pentwater. These ventures, although demanding tremendous work, were fantastic opportunities for their children to learn, explore, make memories, create mischief and be a part of a family enterprise.
She was preceded by her parents, two sisters, a brother, husband Chet, son Tom, and grand-daughter Andrea. She is survived by her son Steven (Chris Jacobs) of Houston, Texas and her daughters Polly (Dan Doctor) and Katie (Mark Wiseman) of Norton Shores, nine grandchildren; Steven Nerheim Jr. (Cathy Sprinkle) of Richmond VA, Peter Nerheim (Heather Mascarin) of Knoxville MD, Thomas Nerheim Jr Loveland CO, Sarah Nerheim (Ryan Groll) of Loveland CO, Jennifer Doctor (Corey Lallo) of Kenosha WI, Dan Doctor Jr (Stephanie Jo Framke) of Lakewood CA, Adam Wiseman (Krystal Kuczmera) of Nunica MI, Meghan Wiseman (Michael Dean) of Grand Rapids MI and Gracie Wiseman (Jordan Chandler) of Grand Rapids MI; and twenty-two great grandchildren.
Meg never failed to appreciate a billowing American flag, the beauty of the changing trees and the joy of simply appreciating the ever changing sky. She also appreciated a daily happy hour and created her own signature cocktail: a vodka wine combo dubbed a "VW." A farm girl at heart, she was happiest out-of-doors. There was rarely an ailment in her long healthy life, but if one came along you can bet she thought a good walk and some fresh air would cure it.
Her love language to her four kids and all the loved ones that followed wasn't always verbal. It was all the comforting, unspoken acts of love, a cozy home, delicious food, memory-making beach days or simple positive words of encouragement. Raising her children was her life's purpose and joy, which doubled as grandchildren came along. Great grandchildren were the icing on the cake. She was a charming, impish pied piper to them all. Never too old for walks, painting, tea parties, an adrenaline-boosting round of hide and seek, she was truly engaging. She was a good one. and lives on in the heart of all who knew and loved her.
A private family remembrance will be held.
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