Caroline Christina (Roebuck) Gerla

On Monday January 7, 2019, with family by her side, Caroline Christina Gerla (nee Roebuck) of Humboldt, and formerly of Preeceville, passed away peacefully at the age of 82 at the Humboldt District Hospital.   Caroline was born on January 27, 1936 to Alex and Jesse (nee Malinowski) Roebuck at Theodore.  She grew up on her family farm near Theodore, where she attended school.  Although she left to work in the United States as a nanny for a short time after finishing school, she returned to Theodore and married William “Bill” Gerla on July 6, 1957.  Together, they moved to Flaxcombe where Bill resumed his teaching career and this is where they started their family.  They moved for a short time to Osage, and then in the early 1960’s, the family of five moved to Preeceville.  When the children grew older, Caroline worked at the local motel in housekeeping and enjoyed painting houses, both interior and exterior.  She also worked at the Preeceville Union Hospital in housekeeping and dietary for many years.  Caroline was passionate about sewing, especially quilt making, and in her later years, many different kinds of craft work.  She was also an active member of Trinity UCW while living in Preeceville.  The family had a cabin at Nelson Lake where they made many wonderful memories over the years.  In their retirement, Bill and Caroline travelled to Mesa, AZ during the winters, where they enjoyed the warm weather, and in the process made many special friends.  In 2009, they retired to Humboldt.  They were both incredible cooks and loved to have family over for meals and visiting whenever they could.  Caroline will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her husband of 61 years, William “Bill” Gerla of Humboldt; their three children and four special grandchildren:  Mark Gerla of Edmonton; Bill Gerla (Kathy) of Humboldt and family Steven Gerla (Jessica) and Jennifer Gerla (Kory), all of Humboldt; and Laurie Polishchuk (Brian) of Saskatoon and family Ashley Polishchuk (Joel) of Saskatoon and Brett Polishchuk of Edmonto;  Brother Victor Roebuck of Theodore; brothers-in-law Allan Cherney of Wadena; Harold Gerla of Peachland and sisters-in-law Dolores Roebuck of Yorkton and Judi (Peter) Moroz of Wadena; and dear friend Lorenda Thimm; as well as many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Caroline was predeceased by her parents Alex and Jesse Roebuck; daughter-in-law Brenda Gerla; infant grandson Elliot Gerla; beloved dog Swea-pea; Siblings:  Peter Roebuck, Eunice Cherney, and Joseph Roebuck; parents-in-law William and Eva Gerla; sisters-in-law: Ivy Roebuck,  Irene Roebuck, Marion Evans, Marge Gerla; brother-in-law Nick Evans; and special cousin Josie Bilokreli.  The family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to Nurse Elizabeth, Nurse Lenore and all the staff at Humboldt District Hospital for their compassion, kindness and care given to us and Mom during her stay there.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Trinity United Church memorial fund, Diabetes Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.