Agnes “Aggie” Johanna (Gruse) Gruber, 98, passed away peacefully January 8, 2019. She was born December 21, 1920 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Roman and Anna (Steinfort) Gruse. Agnes was the fifth of eleven children. She grew up attending Saint Mary’s School in Oshkosh.
Aggie began her working career in 1935 at a Carmel Crisp Shop in Oshkosh. Three years later as an eighteen-year-old she moved by herself to Los Angeles, California to work as a nanny. When World War II broke out, she took a position with Lockheed Aircraft building bombers.
In 1948 she married Jessie Dagley of Joplin, Missouri. Sadly, after only three years of marriage, Jessie died from complications of diabetes. Then in 1952 Agnes met and married William “Bill” H. Gruber of Los Angeles. Bill was an engineer with North American Aviation. Together they had two children, Dennis Gruber and Denise (Gruber) Malloy.
In 1962 they moved to Rockledge, Florida where Bill took a position with North American Aviation supporting the Gemini and Apollo space flight programs. Bill died in 1975. After his death Agnes went back to work as the Head Baker for the Brevard County School District. She retired from the school district in 1990.
Agnes was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockledge volunteering at the parish school and for various church activities.
An avid gardener, Agnes won numerous community awards for civic beatification and was an accomplished seamstress and quilt maker.
Agnes was preceded in death by her brothers, Ray Gruse, Bud Gruse, and Frank Gruse, and twin brothers; sisters, Helen Evans, Delores Keller, and Marie Gruse; and grandchild, Meghan Malloy. Agnes is survived by her son, Dennis Gruber; daughter, Denise Malloy; sisters, Nellie Carrick and Geraldine Vechart of Wisconsin; and grandchildren, Brad Gruber, William Gruber, Zachary Malloy, Matthew Malloy, William Malloy, Nicole Malloy and 8 great-grandchildren.
The family invites donations in Agnes' name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Friends and family can pay their respects at the funeral Mass, officiated by Fr. Derek Lappe, on Monday, January 14 at 11 am with rosary at 10:30 am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Bremerton, Washington.
A grave side service will be held on Saturday, January 26 at 11 am at Florida Memorial Gardens in Rockledge, Florida.
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