Effie Gerbig

Effie Gerbig completed her sojourn on earth on April 21, 2011, in Oceanside, CA, and has moved on to her eternal home. She passed away at Fairwinds Ivey Assisted Living, where she received wonderful care for the past six years.


Liturgy of the Word for Effie Gerbig, 96, formerly of Belfield, will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2011 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson. Burial will follow in the Dickinson Cemetery.


Visitation for Effie will be from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 2, 2011 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson.


Effie Alexandra Hlebichuck was born in Gorham, North Dakota on January 10, 1915, the first child of Natalia (Struchynski) and Wallace Hlebichuck. She was followed by siblings Regina, Helen, Steve, Betty, Florence, and Herbert. On October 30, 1934, she married Stephen Dolyniuk, and resided in Belfield. They had three children, Jeanne “Jeanie”, Steve “Sonny” and Phyllis “Phaya”. Stephen passed away on April 13, 1967. Four years later, on Oct. 31, 1971, Effie and John Gerbig were married. Effie loved life on John’s ranch in Amidon, however, age and health issues eventually forced John to retire. In 1980, they built a new home and a new way of life in Belfield. John died May 19, 2002, and Effie continued living in her home until the fall of 2005, when she relocated to Oceanside, CA. After being the family matriarch for so many years, it is heart-wrenching for the remaining family and friends to even think of no longer having her strong presence in our lives. Nonetheless, it is comforting to know that her trials and suffering on earth are over. We can even smile while thinking of the many happy reunions she is experiencing on the”other side”.


Effie is survived by her three children, Jeanne Collum (Vern), of Belfield, Steve (Susan) of Florence, OR and Phyllis Gifford (Bill) of Carlsbad, CA; two sisters Betty Hanson (Ralph) of Roseburg, OR and Florence Petrick (Homer) of Phoenix, AZ, six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.


She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Stephen Dolyniuk and John Gerbig; her parents, Natalia and Wallace Hlebichuck; sisters, Regina Dolyniuk (Nick) and Helen Stuss (Bill); brothers, Steve (Edith) and Herbert (died in infancy); one grandson (Sheldon); and half-sister Anna Hlebichuck.


In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Hospice by the Sea at 312 South Cedros Suite 250, Solana Beach, CA 92075.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: May 3, 2011
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Liturgy of the Word: Tuesday: Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND