Ben GRUIS

GRUIS, MENNENGA, SUNTKEN, PALS, STADTLANDER, STROEH, OSTENDORF

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/5/2007 at 22:44:07

February 20, 1942
Thornton Enterprise, Thornton, Iowa

Funeral services for Ben Gruis were held Friday, February 13, at 2 o'clock at the Reformed church, with the Rev. E. Kampmann in charge. A quartet consisting of Dick Dirks, K.C. Ruigh, John Schmidt and Bert Heykant sang. Pallbearers were six grandsons: Elmer, Ben and Harry Mennenga, Benjamin, Jesse and Herman Suntken.

Ben Gruis was born Sept. 13, 1855 at Wymeer, Ostfriesland, Germany. April 15, 1883, he was united in marriage to Franke Pals in St. Georgewold [Georgiwold], Ostfriesland, Germany. Eight days after marriage, on April 23, 1883, they left their homeland and came to America. This union was blessed with five children - two sons and three daughters. On May 19, 1883, Mr. and Mrs. Gruis reached the town of Belmond and first settled in that vicinity. In 1888 they moved to a farm two miles south of Meservey. Here they lived and engaged in farming for 26 years. Then they moved to the town of Meservey where the remainder of their life was spent in retirement. On September 5, 1914, his wife preceded him in death. Mr. Gruis was again united in marriage to Julia Stadtlander on January 17, 1917. She preceded him in death on Oct. 5, 1918. On August 19, 1920, he was united in marriage with Carrie Stroeh, who survives. His passing is mourned by his wife and five children. They are: two sons, Herman of Meservey; and Peter, of Alexander; three daughters (Katie) Mrs. John Mennenga of Belmond; (Yettie) Mrs. John Suntken, of Alexander; (Carrie) Mrs. Jack Ostendorf, of Meservey; besides 22 grandchildren and four great grandchildren; two brothers, Herman B. Gruis, Sr., of Meservey, and Klaus Gruis, of Belmond. Two brothers, Jake and Daniel preceded him in death. Burial was in the family lot in the Immanuel Reformed Church cemetery.