Gerber Lane — from Eva’s pioneer house to the new one William built out front.

William Gerber & Pearl McAllister Gerber: Quiet Pillars of Family and Faith

William Gerber, a son of Eva Schübel Gerber and John T. Gerber, was one of the devoted sons who helped build the sturdy family home for his mother at 3838 South 2200 West in Granger, Utah — the same home where he would raise his own family in later years. William was known for his loyalty, generosity, and hard work — a man who carried forward the pioneer grit and quiet service of his parents.

William married Pearl McAllister Gerber, who matched his steady spirit with warmth and dedication. Together, they created a home not only for their children but also as a refuge for extended family. When William’s children were young, the family lived in the back rooms of Eva’s old house, sharing daily life and lessons with William’s beloved mother — “Great-Grandma Eva” — who taught her grandchildren how to knit, reminded them to “always look for the good in people,” and was remembered as a true saint by those who loved her.

In 1942, William sold ten acres of the original Gerber property to Stan Todd and used the proceeds to build a new home at the front of the old lane. This brought his family comfort and space as they grew to eight children — yet the old homestead, Eva’s house, remained the heart of the family’s roots and memories.

William was kind & always found ways to quietly help — sharing his bounties with others, modeling small acts of consistency and care, like chopping wood daily for exercise. He finally gave up driving only when he realized it might endanger others — proof of his deep sense of responsibility.

Pearl was the listening ear for her grandchildren’s troubles and triumphs. She comforted them with root beer, watermelon, banana bread, fruit cake, and homemade date candy at Christmas. She loved to can fruits and vegetables, stocking shelves that fed the family through every season, while William faithfully tightened every jar for her. In her later years, Pearl joined William in attending church with their grandchildren, and during a mission in 1952, they were sealed in the temple — a spiritual milestone that became a treasured memory for the whole family.

Their simple daily acts of goodness — a shared meal, an encouraging letter, a shady tree for a neighborly visit — left an enduring example for their children and grandchildren. In their quiet way, William and Pearl Gerber carried forward the legacy of sacrifice, self-reliance, and family devotion first set in motion by William’s pioneer mother, Eva.

Eva’s home still stands. William helped build this home as a young boy : behind house 3838 S. 2200 W

The home built by William to raise his family