Lena Gruis

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M., Monday, June 15, 2009 at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN, with Reverend Don Bird officiatingVISITATION : 5-7 P.M. Sunday, June 14, 2009, at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on MondayINTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids SURVIVORS : Lena is survived by her 3 children: Darrel (Janet) Gruis of Nevis, MN, David (Gail) Gruis of Park Rapids, MN and Jean (Timothy) Lindow of Shevlin, MN; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. LENA GRUIS April 27, 1915 ~ June 9, 2009 Lena Gruis, age 94, of the Nevis, MN area, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN. Lena was born on April 27, 1915, in Sweet Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota, to John and Katherine (Pulscher) Freese. During her childhood, Lena moved with her family to various states. Lena attended country school through the 8th grade in Pipestone County. Following her schooling, Lena gained employment with the minister, Mr. Rossiter and his wife in Pipestone Co., where she did domestic work. She was united in marriage to Willard Gruis on September 2, 1937. This union was blessed with 3 children: Darrel, David and Jean. Lena and her family made their home on a farm in Pipestone County until 1940 when they moved to the Nevis, MN, area. They farmed there until 1942 when they returned to Pipestone County following the death of Willard"s father. In the fall of 1944, they again returned to the farm in the Nevis, MN area where they remained until 1949 when they moved to a larger farm in the Nevis area. Lena was a devoted wife and mother who took great pride and joy in caring for her family. She was also a wonderful cook and baker who will long be remembered for her homemade cooking that was always accompanied by homemade bread. She was always prepared to feed any crowd that arrived at her home during mealtime. Lena and her family joined the Riverside United Methodist Church on March 20, 1954, and she was an active member serving in the Women"s circle and also ran the church kitchen for many years. She is still remembered for the special coffee that she brewed for church activities. Lena"s life was greatly saddened by the death of her husband Willard on July 3, 1981. Even following Willard"s death, Lena remained on the family farm, performing the daily farm chores. Lena also enjoyed planting large vegetable gardens which she nurtured into fruitful abundance to share with family and friends. She also enjoyed tending her flower gardens into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. Lena remained on the family farm until 2002 when her health required her to move to the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids where she remained until her passing. Lena is survived by her 3 children: Darrel (Janet) Gruis of Nevis, MN, David (Gail) Gruis of Park Rapids, MN and Jean (Timothy) Lindow of Shevlin, MN; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. Lena was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; 1 great grandson, Scott Gartner; and 8 brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, June 15, 2009 at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN, with Reverend Don Bird officiating. Linda Szuszitzky will be the organist. Congregational hymns will be: "The Old Rugged Cross" & "In The Garden". Casketbearers will be: Daniel DeCrans, Leo Gartner, Micheal Gruis, Dwaine McCullion, Delmer Hacker, & Bill Ladely. Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 5-7 P.M. Sunday, June 14, 2009, at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. To leave online condolences, please visit www.jonespearson.com.