Darla Jean Grossman of Dexter, Missouri, daughter of the late Eugene Gerber and Dorothy Baker Gerber was born on March 29, 1945 in Pensacola, Florida and departed this life on December 19, 2015 at the age of 70.

Darla adored her husband of 51 years, Rick Grossman, and together they raised two strong, beautiful, and successful daughters, Wendy and Kimberly.

Mrs. Grossman’s faith, work ethic and generosity were boundless. Retiring after 42 years of work in law offices in Dexter and Anchorage, Alaska, Darla filled her life with church, community service and many, many close friendships. She was an Elder at the Presbyterian Church in Dexter, a Board Member for the Regional Healthcare Foundation where she served as President for four years, a mentor in the RHF mother to mother program where she instructed young, single mothers in the art of parenting and had been awarded mentor of the year. Darla also gave her time to the Heritage House Committee, which helped get grants and funding to restore the Heritage House in Dexter. She was a sister in the Xi Lambda Eta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, a member of the Jaycee Wife’s, and she taught cooking and ceramic classes at her home. She was also the Director for the State of Alaska "Happy Things" Gift Company.

Darla is survived by her husband, her daughters and their husbands, Lou Pondolfino and Travis Pettit of Anchorage; by two brothers, David Gerber of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri and Danny Gerber of Tennessee; sisters Delena Aronberg of St. Louis and DeeAnn Nauman of Festus, Missouri; and by her two grandchildren whom she doted on, Lauren Addington of Phoenix, Arizona and Haydn Sept of Anchorage.

A memorial service will be conducted on Monday, December 28 at 2p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Dexter with Dr. Tom Bass officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.