GRUIS, William Earl "Pete" 1923-2007

GRUIS, BENZ, FRANCIS

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 12/3/2008 at 12:05:57

Visitation:
Monday, January 15, 2007
Hauser Funeral Home
1205 South Main
Charles City, Iowa

Service:
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Rock Creek Lutheran Church
Rural Osage, Iowa

Earl “Pete” Gruis, 83, of Rudd, died Friday, January 12, 2007, at the Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

William Earl “Pete” Gruis was born November 15, 1923, at Bristow, the son of John and Anna (Benz) Gruis, Sr. Pete was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. He graduated from Rockford High School in 1942. Soon after graduation, he worked a short time at the Oliver Corporation in Charles City.

Pete was drafted into the U.S. Army on May 3, 1943. He served with the 656th Tank Destroyer Unit in the European Theater while overseas. He was one of the first units in the Battle of the Bulge. In January of 1946 he was honorably discharged. After his discharge he again worked at the Oliver Corporation as a machine operator and then as an instructor in the machine area. In 1953 he left the Oliver Corporation and started farming.

On August 17, 1947, he was united in marriage to Wanda Francis at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. In 1953 they moved to a farm east of Rockford where they lived until March 1, 1955. They then moved to the farm east of Rudd where they have made their home for over 50 years. They have worked together side by side making their farm a beautiful place. Pete was a very hard worker and proud of his farming operation. They retired from farming in 1991 but remained on the farm.

In 1956 Pete and Wanda joined the Rock Creek Lutheran Church. Pete served as a deacon and trustee numerous times, usher and as secretary of the Brotherhood. He was a faithful and active member

of the church. He was also a life time member of the V.F.W. Post #733 in Mason City, and past Moose Lodge member. Pete and Wanda were made honorary members of the Rockford FFA Chapter.

He was a good supporter of the FFA and the county fair. Pete loved all kinds of sports, attending many of the ball games at the local school. He served on the local Farmers Coop board for six years.

Pete loved to go dancing with his wife. They drove many miles to attend Polka Fests, have fun and meet and make new friends. He looked forward to selling tapes of his favorite band The Top Notchman.

Pete was a perfectionist and always kept things in tip top shape. He spent a lot of time in his woodshed making items for the gift shop they had in their home. One of his favorite pastimes was watching and feeding the birds and squirrels and enjoying their antics. In 1978 Pete and Wanda took into their home an Australian foreign exchange student, Robin Parsons. She lived with them for a year.

Living family members include his wife Wanda of Rudd; a sister, Darlene Lambert of Mason City; a brother, John (Darlene) Gruis, Jr.; many nieces, nephews, a host of friends; and a special family, Vincent, Conseulo, Brenda, Vincent and Victor Livengood.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; and three brothers.

[Hauser Funeral Home obituary - www.hauserfh.com]