Obit: Gruba, Mary L. (1928 – 2018)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Gruba, Mathison, Matthews, Mathwig, Zien, Lund, Vidal, Natzke, Weiland

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 02 May 2018

Gruba, Mary L. (16 JAN 1928 – 27 APR 2018)

Mary L. Gruba, 90, formerly of Stanley, died Fnday, April 27, 2018, at the Clark County Health Care Center. She was born on January 16, 1928, in Pardeeville, WI, the daughter of the late Thomas and Murial (Mathison) Matthews. She attended school in Medford and she

completed nursing training in Clark County, Illinois and at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire. She met returning World War II soldier Louis Gruba at a Duke Ellington dance in Eau Claire and they were married on June 12, 1954, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Stanley.

She worked as an RN for Doctor Mathwig at his clinic and later worked at Victory Memorial Hospital Emergency Room and Victory Memorial Nursing Home.

Mary was an avid gardener, keeper of houseplants, bird watcher, painter, cook, and occasional world traveler. In the mid 1980's Mary traveled with her neighbor Helen Szatalowicz to Europe and Russia before the iron curtain fell.

Mary loved libraries, collected many books, and also subscribed to a slew of periodicals and newspapers to keep up on politics and events. These prepared Mary for spirited discussions with her husband. Despite their competing views (and competing election signs) Mary kept a sense of humor about it all. One day she took a brief cycle ride with former Republican Senator Dave Zien.

She is survived by her children: Alan (Susan) Gruba of Fall Creek. Ann (Gilbert) Lund of Thorp, Matt (Kim) Gruba of Stanley and Carol Gruba (Mike Vidal). Madison; 10 grandchildren; her sister, Carol Matthews of Biloxi, MS; and two brothers: Thomas (Joan) Matthews of Waunakee and Robert (DelAnn) Matthews of Eau Claire. Mary is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis (1997); her brother, William; and her sister, Charlotte Weiland.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at the Plombon Funeral Home, Stanley with Rev. Laurie Natzke officiating. Burial followed in Holy Family Cemetery. Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. on Monday and one hour prior to services Tuesday at the funeral home.