Carma Marie Gerbig, 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by family with her beloved NDSU Bison playing football in the background at Sanford Medical Center, Bismarck on November 23, 2024. Carma’s Memorial Service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, December 2, 2024 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dickinson, with Rev. Lisa Lewton officiating. Inurnment will take place at Dickinson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
She was born on January 2, 1951, to Allan and Eleanor (Oldenburg) Olson in Dickinson. She was baptized at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dickinson. Her family moved to St. Ansgar, Iowa, and later to Golden Valley, MN, before relocating to New England, ND, following the death of her father. Carma graduated from New England High School in 1969 and went on to attend North Dakota State University, where she graduated in 1973. While at NDSU, she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Student Activity Board, Guidon, and the AAUW, and it was there that she met Brian Gerbig. The two were married on March 9, 1974, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in New England.
Carma and Brian made Mandan their first home, where Carma taught home economics at Mandan High School. They welcomed their daughter, Kristin, while living there. After moving to Ashley, ND, Carma taught at Ashley High School. In 1978, they moved closer to family in Dickinson, where Carma had two more children, Michael and Kari. She took time off from teaching to raise her children but stayed active in her community, serving as Director of Education at St. John and substitute teaching. Carma spent 19 years as the tutorial coordinator of the Academic Learning Center at Hagen Junior High School, where she found joy in working with
students, celebrating their “light bulb” moments of understanding. After retiring in 2015, Carma remained an active member of her community, working as a substitute teacher and serving on the boards of the Retired Teachers Association and the Dickinson Area Concert Association. She also worked as an election judge.
A devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother, Carma was a woman of strong faith. She was a long-time member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was deeply involved in Circle 6 Bible study, taught Sunday School, and served on the Altar Guild. Carma was also a dedicated supporter of her children, leading both Boy and Girl Scout troops and always offering an eager listening ear. As a grandmother, Carma was a constant presence at her grandchildren’s activities, cheering them on with love and pride.
Carma was an avid reader, often found with a book in hand, and she enjoyed participating in several book clubs and coffee groups during her retirement. A loyal friend to many, she treasured her relationships and remained active in her social circles. She was also known for her hard work, spending countless hours tending to her garden and keeping her yard immaculate. Saturdays were often spent cheering for the Bison football team, and the holidays were especially sweet as Carma prepared lefse, Swedish meatballs, and cut-out cookies for her family.
Carma’s warm heart, kindness, and selfless spirit of service will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Brian; her three children: Kristin (Kyle) Kemmet of Harwood, Michael (Teresa) Gerbig of Dickinson, and Kari (Jeremy) Burgard of Bismarck; and seven grandchildren: Kylin, Preston, and Hunter Kemmet; Logan and Taylor Gerbig; and Elijah and Audrey Burgard. Carma is also survived by her brother Doug (Jan) Olson of Bismarck. Carma was preceded in death by her parents, Allan and Eleanor Olson, and her sister, Barbara Gutenkunst.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to Dickinson Public School Foundation for the formation of a scholarship in Carma’s honor.