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Douglas M. Gruber

1953 - 2004

Douglas M. Gruber

Douglas M. Gruber, Wright County Auditor/Treasurer, 51, died peacefully at his Buffalo home June 25, [2004], surrounded by his loving family, following a 2 1/2 year battle with pancreatic cancer.

A Mass of Christian Burial took place July 1 at the Church of St. Francis in Buffalo. Father Tom Rayar and Father Charles Froehle were concelebrants. Private entombment was in St. Francis cemetery. A visitation took place at the church June 30, 3-8 p.m. A.K.C.. Rosary was recited at 6:45 p.m. and a parish prayer service took place at 7 p.m. Further visitation was one hour prior to Mass at the church. Honorary casket bearers were Randy L. Haskins, Gary S. Koecheler, Craig R. Annis, Kenneth J. Ogden, James E. Huikko, Brian K. Reinert, Keith L. Dixon, Thomas H. Ritter, David A. Estling, Leslie D. Holland, and Curtis J. Reinert. Casket bearers were his six brothers: Robert, Richard, Charles, David, Thomas, and Jeffrey.

Doug was born in Little Falls, May 24, 1953, the son of Arthur Anthony and Verna Ann Girtz Gruber. He graduated from Healy High School in Pierz in 1971 and was on its wrestling team. He attended the University of Minnesota in Crookston from 1971 until 1973. Doug was junior college state wrestling champion while attending Crookston. He later transferred to St. Cloud State University and graduated in 1976 with a business education degree and with a minor in physical education. While attending St. Cloud State University, he continued to wrestle and was fifth in the nation for the NCAA-Division II.

Doug and Geralyn D. “Geri” Gooselaw were joined in holy matrimony Aug. 24, 1974, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Buckman. God blessed this marriage with three children.

He was currently serving his second term as Auditor/Treasurer. He previously had been employed for 13 years as the Wright County Assessor.

Doug was an active and faithful member of the Church of St. Francis in Buffalo. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council 6608, and was a past Grand Knight. He also was a member of the Buffalo Rotary Club.

He is survived by his loving wife, Geri; children, Angi (Darby) Bitzan of Buffalo; Meghan and Logan, both at home; mother, Verna Gruber of Little Falls; brothers and sisters, Robert of St. Cloud, Janelle (Paul) Hartmann of Arvada, CO; Richard (Karen) of Sauk Rapids; Charles (Karen) of Pierz; David of Winter Park, CO; Thomas (Nancy) of Royalton; Jeffrey (Deb) of Fort Dodge, IA; Rose (Charles) Seymour of Chisago City; Carol (Clyde) Athman of St. Joseph; Paula (Peter) Colbert of Lebanon, OH; and Carmen (Allen) Watland of Grand Rapids; mother-in-law, Leona Hemmes of Ham Lake; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jack (Sandy) Gooselaw of Lake Stevens, WA; Judy (Rick) Schneider of Blaine; Marilyn (Karl) Sylling of Spring Grove; Reggie Hemmes of Las Vegas, NV;
Bradley (Susi) Hemmes and Marshal (Lorna) Hemmes, all of Humbolt; Debbie (Jake) Kopylov of Denver, CO; Darlyce (Steve) Jerde of Ferndale, WA; Todd Hemmes of Fridley and Greg (Kim) Hemmes of Kennedy; many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur A. Gruber in 2003; father-in-law Manuel Gooselaw in 1961; brother-in-law, Fran Gooselaw in 2001; and by step-father-in-law, Wilbert Hemmes in 1984.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family.

source: © Herald Journal Publishing, Inc., 120 6th St N #100, Winsted, MN 55395; phone 320-485-2535

 

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