Leora Gruhn

Funeral services for Leora Gruhn were held Friday, September 15, 2000 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla, Iowa. Reverend Timothy Geitz officiated the service with Carolann Segebart as vocalist and Marian Joens as organist. Interment was held at Nishnabotna Cemetery, Manilla, Iowa, with Art Joens, Bernie Jorgenson, Roland Huebner, Mike Segebart, Mervin Arnold and Merlin Schmelau as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers were grandchildren: Katie Gruhn, Melissa Gruhn, Stephanie Miller, Joshua Gruhn, Eric Hammer, Kimberly Irlmeier, and Heather Brincks.

Leora Marie, daughter of William H. and Louise B. Lenz Petersen, was born September 21, 1921, near Denison, Iowa. Leora attended country school near Denison and was the youngest person to graduate from Denison High School at age fifteen. After teaching in country school in Crawford County, she worked in the county superintendent's office.

On April 21, 1948, Leora was united in marriage with Lyle E. Gruhn at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Three sons were born to this union. They made their home in the Manilla area. Leora continued to work at the county superintendent's office for a short time before staying home to care for their boys and do the books for Lyle's seed corn business. Lyle died September 7, 1993.

Leora was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla, participating in Vacation Bible School and holding several offices in the Priscilla Guild. She enjoyed the Helping Hands Club, volunteering her time at the Manilla manor, working in her yard and flowerbed, and spending time with her grandchildren and many cousins.

Leora had been in failing health since 1997, and on Tuesday, September 12, 2000, she died at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning; Iowa. She was 78 years, 11 months and 22 days of age.

Besides her husband and parents, Leora was preceded in death by a brother, Raynen Petersen.

She is survived by three sons: Nyle Gruhn and his wife. Lynne, of Manilla; Garry Gruhn and his wife, Linette, of Manilla; and Mark Gruhn and his wife, Jean, of Carroll; seven grandchildren: Katie and Joshua Gruhn, Melissa Gruhn, Eric Hammer. Stephanie Miller, Kimberly Irlmeier and Healther Brincks; three greatgrandchildren: Sam, Sky and Mya Irlmeier; three sisters-in-law Loretta and her husband, Mervin Arnold of Manilla, Doris Witt of Manning, Ethel and her husband, Leo Seib, of Des Moines: a brother-in-law Gene Gruhn of Mesa, Arizona: and by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.