February 12, 1927 - February 21, 2025

Amaryllis Aileen Barber Holloway Gerber (Amy) was born on February 12, 1927, in Lincoln to Carl H. Barber and Elsie Babcock Barber. After moving to Fairbury in 1931, Amaryllis attended Fairbury schools and graduated from Fairbury High School in 1944. She earned a music degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1948 where she was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. After graduation, she was a teacher for the Fairbury Public schools and directed the choir at First Christian Church positions she held over a period of 40 years. In 1950, she married fellow teacher Roy Holloway, and to that union were born their children Jane, Peggy and Steve. She taught private piano and voice lessons and was active in Eastern Star, the DAR, Fairbury Area Community Theatre, and Jefferson County Singers. She earned her Master’s degree from UNL in 1970. In 1990, Amaryllis married Dr. Daniel Gerber, and they moved to Concordia KS. Amaryllis taught part-time for the Concordia schools and for Cloud County Community College and was choir director at First United Methodist Church until she retired at age 90! She was on the Board of the Community Concert Association and was active with the Crusader’s Sunday School Class, Improvement Club, PEO, and the Cloud County Senior Center. In August, she moved to Country House Residence in Lincoln and on February 9th, 16 family members joined her to celebrate her 98th birthday. She passed away in Lincoln on February 21, 2025.

Amaryllis was preceded in death by her husband Daniel, her parents, her sister Carlene (Bill) Sinn, and great grand-daughter Elsie Marie. She is survived by her children Jane Garfield (Jim) of Central City, Peggy Holloway (Ken Peters) of Omaha and Steve Holloway of Brooklyn, NY; her step-sons Daniel Timothy Gerber (Luann) of Onalaska, WI and Jared Gerber (Kristine) of Omaha; 5 grandchildren Derek Garfield (Stephanie) of Fairbury, Darin Garfield (Chevonne) of Central City and Danae Garfield (Doug Evans) of Lincoln and Meganne Horrocks (Craig Bond) and David Horrocks of Omaha; 4 great-grand-children, 4 step-grandsons and 1 step-great-grandson and Daniel’s brother and sisters.

A graveside service at the Steele City Cemetery and a memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Nebraska Wesleyan Department of Music and First United Methodist Church of Concordia, Kansas.

Condolences online at Roperandsons.com