Mark Nathaniel Gerla of Nyssa, OR, died on April 19, 2025, in Meridian, ID at the age of 72 . He was born to Daniel Robert Gerla and Amy Lorraine Bergstrom on January 13th, 1953, in Omak, Washington.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at River City Church 7540 W Northview St, Boise, ID 83704.
Mark married his beautiful bride, Frances Rose Dye, on August 5th, 1972. They were married for 52 years. Together, they raised two children and were each other’s greatest support.
Rather than describing Mark’s childhood adventures or his adult life spent as a contractor and avid outdoors-man, he would want you to know how passionate he was about the topic of unforgiveness and how it is a prison to which you hold the key.
He would encourage you to forgive others, yourself, or even God if necessary. Get rid of things in your life that come between you and the Lord. Yes, you have been let down and wounded. Yes, you earned the right to be disappointed. But, would the subject of your offense be able to repay the cost?
Might it be possible to release your heart from the crippling grip of unforgiveness before it renders your heart hardened? It doesn’t mean what happened was okay – it simply means that what was done will no longer take even more from you. A heart held captive by pain is heavy and unable to grow. Is it time to consider forgiveness?
Mark is survived by his wife, Fran Gerla of Nyssa, OR, and his two children, Tracy Lynn and spouse Mike Briggs of Meridian Idaho, and their four children Corbin (Christina) Briggs of Redding, CA. Jenevive Briggs Victor, ID. Livia and Justus Briggs of Meridian. And his son Craig Gerla of Nyssa Oregon.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gary Gerla.