SHIRLEY JEAN GRUIS, age 86, of Adrian, died Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at the Adrian Care Center. She was born on February 24, 1928, in Sibley, IA to parents, Cobus and Tina (Nachtigal) Behrens.  She attended parochial school in Horton Township in Iowa and graduated from Worthington High School. After graduating she attended commercial college in Mankato and received a degree in business. After her schooling, Shirley worked for Campbell Soup Company.
She was united in marriage to Frederick Gruis on November 7, 1948, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Worthington.  After their marriage, the couple made their home near Adrian and then moved to rural Reading in 1950 and farmed in Summit Lake Township.
Shirley was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Worthington, Ladies Aid, and Project Club.  She was a homemaker all of her life and enjoyed cooking, baking, and candy making. She also enjoyed traveling and visiting, playing cards, reading, spending time with family, and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her five children, Marlys (Byron ) Monahan, Waseca, MN;  Duane (Barb) Gruis, Worthington, MN; Daryle (Rachelle) Gruis, Worthington, MN; Barb (Gene) Reker, Lismore, MN; Joanne (Ron) Fricke, Jackson, MN; daughter-in-law, Gail Gruis, Fulda, MN: twelve grandchildren, two step grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, three sisters, Mary Stelter, Marshall, MN; Lorraine (William) Duitsman, Worthington, MN; Annette Poss, South Sioux City, NE;  sister-in-law, Marianne Behrens, Worthington, MN;  brother and sisters in-law, Henry (Lois) Gruis, Worthington, MN; Lucille Gruis, Rushmore, MN; LaDonn Gruis, Adrian,  MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Frederick on August 1, 2003, son, Ronald and brother, Dale Behrens.

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