Feb. 25, 1939 - Dec. 12, 2024
Sifu Master Luverne Marie (Lu) Molberg, a professional social worker, passionate advocate for senior rights, breaker of glass ceilings, and beloved tai chi and Qi Gong instructor, died peacefully at the age of 85.
Born in St. Cloud to Severyn and Irene Ellen Henry Youso, Molberg was one of eight children. Her brilliance and diverse talents were apparent from an early age. In addition to her scholastic achievements, in high school, she was head majorette, star trombonist and valedictorian of Foley High School Class of 1957. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from College of St. Benedict, of St. Joseph, and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
She married Noel Pearman in England in 1962, and had a daughter, Misty, and two sons, Severyn and Geoffrey. She later returned to Minnesota and worked as a professional social worker. She accepted leadership positions in various not-for-profit service organizations in Minneapolis focused on health care and aging.
In 1980, she married Luther Molberg. They jointly consulted on the development of services and housing for seniors. The couple owned and operated Webster Institute, an international consulting firm specializing in leadership and change management.
A noted consultant, seminar leader and motivational speaker on health and aging programs in Minnesota and California, she was a tireless champion for the rights and well-being of older adults. Throughout her life, she worked to break down barriers that hindered seniors from living full, active and dignified lives. Issues she tackled included examining the need to provide care for people in conventional living arrangements versus institutions, and funding services designed to keep people out of nursing homes as long as possible. Her efforts helped shift societal perceptions on aging.
She served as a volunteer on boards and commissions at the local, state and national level. In Riverside County, she was the long-term director of the Office on Aging and a member of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board.
Molberg was also a master of tai chi, a discipline she practiced and taught for 25 years. She learned the art from Master Pao Peter Lee, who brought traditional Yang Family Form 108 tai chi to the desert. As a renowned instructor, she shared the ancient art with countless individuals, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. She never missed an opportunity to inform people of tai chi’s benefits.
In 2002, she married Anthony Gutierrez in Palm Springs. Together, they co-founded the Tai Chi with Lu school. In her years as sifu master, she certified 15 sifus to teach tai chi and healing Qi Gong and published two books, “Lead with Chi,” and “Tai Chi Chronicles: Lessons in Life, Love and Form.” Tai Chi with Lu transitioned into the Tai Chi Circle of the Desert, fulfilling a promise she had made to Master Lee to keep tai chi alive in the Coachella Valley.
Molberg was an avid student of new science and energy practices and was dedicated to teaching traditional energy practices that empower individuals in the natural use of internal energy to aid healing. She was a role model to many and a true beacon of light.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Misty Handwerk, spouses Luther Molberg and Tony Gutierrez, her parents, and siblings Bette Jayne Haak, Severyn Donald Youso, Gary Youso and infant John Youso. She is survived by sons Severyn Pearman (Amanda O’Neil), and Geoff Pearman, grandchildren Jeffery Larson (Yajaida Pacheco), Amos Larson (Marta Crandall), Drew Larson and Edie Blue Pearman; great-grandchildren Malibu and Madaline Larson, Adelina Marie Larson, Ariana Schultz, Milo Mimbach and Amalee Crandall; and siblings Ron Youso, Joan Wisniewski and Cathy Mumma.
A celebration of life will be at noon Jan. 12, 2025, at Spiritual Center of the Desert, 45-630 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, California. 92260.
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