Reta I. (LONG) GRUHN

LONG, GRUHN, BROOKIE, HAUCK, GRIMM

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/5/2009 at 23:32:52

The Missoulian
Missoula, Montana
Sunday, April 4, 2004

OBITUARY - RETA I. (LONG) GRUHN

SPIRIT LAKE ID -- Memorial service for Reta I. GRUHN, 88 of Spirit Lake, will be at a later date. Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d'Alene is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. GRUHN, who was born December 29, 1915 in Beaconsfield, Iowa, the daughter of Ora and Edwin LONG, died Sunday, March 28, 2004, in Coeur d'Alene [ID].

She married Elmer GRUHN in 1933 at Aberdeen, S.D., and they briefly lived in Omaha, Neb., before moving to Missoula in 1934 where they raised their children Charles, Merlyn and Patricia BROOKIE.

She worked for the Goodrich Tire Co. of Missoula during World War II and later was a cook for Hell Gate High School, where her cinnamon rolls were greatly appreciated.

Her husband worked for and retired from the Missoula post office.

Mrs. Gruhn was a member of the Missoula First Baptist Church and was involved with church youth groups.Reta and Elmer worked closely with the youth groups of the church. The family enjoyed fishing and hunting in Montana, and outdoor activities, especially in the Bob Marshall Wilderness area.

After she and her husband retired, they spent winters as snowbirds between Huron, S.D., and Hemet, Calif, visiting their children and grandchildren in Alaska, Michigan and Washington.

After the death of her husband she moved from Hemet to Spirit Lake to be near family and lived with her granddaughter, Kimberly HAUCK (daughter of Patricia). In a very special way, she touched the lives of her family and those she came in contact with.

Survivors include two sons, Charles GRUHN of France and Montana, and Merlyn GRUHN of Anchorage, Alaska; a sister, Delma GRIMM of Ogden, Utah; a brother, Nolan LONG of Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Daughter Patricia (GRUHN) BROOKIE died in 1982. A brother, Edwin LONG of Denver preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009