Lillian Gruhn

LILLIAN MAY GRUHN

Cedar Rapids

Lillian May Gruhn, 97, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully with family by her side March 1, 2018. There will be a visitation Thursday, March 8, 2018, from 4 to

5 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home and a memorial service following. A private graveside burial will be at a later date in Postville, Iowa.

Survivors include her son, Robert "Bobby" (Rosie) Gruhn of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughters, Joanne Burreson of Decorah, Iowa, Bonnie Andrews of Lake Delhi, Iowa, and Shelia Meikle of Mount Vernon, Iowa; brother, Sonny (Eileen) Kessel of Minnesota; sister-in-law, Loraine Kessel of Waukon, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; and 43 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Anna (Pratt) Kessel; her loving husband of 48 years, Paul Gruhn; brothers, Francis "Butch" Kessel and Donald "Bud" Kessel; sister, Alice Hummel; grandson, Jesse Ballstaedt; and great-grandson, Kilex McDaniel.

Lillian was born May 24, 1920, in Waukon, Iowa. She worked at a grocery store and helped her husband manage a hotel in Waukon. They moved to Cedar Rapids in 1971 to provide their son (who became deaf at age 7) better services and opportunities. She was a beautiful, courageous woman. She was extremely determined and a phenomenal fighter. She will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Special thanks to Mercy Hospice for their excellent care and compassion and to STAF Church and First Lutheran Church for all their support and prayers.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.