Barbara Josephine (Terral) Gerig

Barbara Josephine Gerig Obituary

We are sad to announce that on December 15, 2023, at the age of 89, Barbara Jo Gerig of Hamilton, Montana, passed away. She was surrounded by family at her residence at the time of passing. Heaven has a new tenant, and mom has entered the joy of our Lord. While she is gone from our presence, she will never disappear from our hearts.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, George K. Terral and Maude Lee Terral, by her wonderful and caring husband of 70 years, Clete Gerig, and by her beloved grandchild Danika Griffiths.

She is survived by her little sister, Carolyn Leonard, and her little brother Jimmy Terral; her three children, Deborah Whaley of Corvallis, MT; Jeffery Gerig of Kennewick, WA; and David Gerig of Georgetown, TX; her grandchildren, Daniel Griffiths Whaley, Kendra Whaley Fledderman, Kiah Whaley Nisly, Brandon Gerig, Megan Gerig Schut, Christopher Gerig, David Raymond Gerig, Johanna Gerig Kreczmer, Jesseca Gerig Poe and Jaiden Gerig, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, AND multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. (remember, she was born in Louisiana and that means she’s probably kin to most of the state)

Mom was born on February 26, 1934 in the small town of Lillie, Louisiana. After her family moved to Southern California in the 40’s, she met Clete Gerig in Solana Beach, California and on August 18, 1950, they were wed, in Yuma, in secret, having made the decision to elope. (do the math) They stayed married for 70 years.

Clete and Jo made their home in Solana Beach from 1950 to 1996, raising 3 kids in a 900 square foot 2 bed, 1 bath home located just a block and a half from the beach. As time flew by, the children flew the koop. Jeff moved to the state of Washington, Debbie went to Montana, David ended up there as well before finally settling in Texas in 2008.

In 1996, Clete and Jo moved to the Great NorthWest, specifically the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, to be closer to the children. They moved to a beautiful place, and in the end, they both made it to the most beautiful place: eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ!

We miss our parents. Clete and Jo made an indelible mark upon all they had relationship with. We will never forget the lessons they taught us and dedication they made to provide their kids with all they could afford in order to helps us succeed in life.

They taught us about life, hope, and love. They embodied this Scripture: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

The family are very thankful for the care given to Jo by the Marcus Daly Hospice team. We want to thank all of those who helped with mom be able to live out her last days at home.

And a special thank you to Rey Serrano, who loved Mom, spent a lot of time helping Debbie care for Mom in her last days, and enjoyed (endured?) playing many games of phase 10 with Mom. (And no, she would never admit to cheating…)