Viola Gruber

Viola Gruber, age 88, of Sartell, MN, formerly of Pierz, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at the home of her daughter. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 15, 2012, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Lastrup, MN, with Fr. David Maciej officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 14, 2012 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz with a Christian Mother's rosary at 4:30 followed by parish prayers at 6:30p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass. Viola was born on May 1, 1924 in Granite Township, Morrison County, Minnesota the daughter of Theodore & Mary Kasper. She attended country school through the eighth grade. Viola worked at Munsingwear in Little Falls prior to her marriage. She was united in marriage to Urban Gruber on November 29, 1947, in Pierz. The couple made their home on a farm near Lastrup where they raised their six children. Viola also worked as a waitress at the DelRay Cafe in Pierz. She enjoyed needle work, quilting, gardening, flowers, watching softball, playing cards, visiting with family and friends, and was an avid sport fan following the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Her most memorable trip was to Molokai, Hawaii to visit the grave site of Fr. Damien last December. She also loved the outdoors and working on the farm. Viola was a great mother. Her life centered around her children and her husband. She was a member of St. John's Church in Lastrup, St. Joseph's in Pierz, and the Christian Mothers. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Wilfred Gruber of Lastrup, MN, Virginia (Oliver) Kaloi of Wahiawa, Hawaii, Daniel (Charlotte) Gruber of Hillman, MN, Marilyn Gruber of Sartell, MN, Joseph Gruber of Pierz, MN, and John (Carrie) Gruber of Lastrup; sisters-in-law, Eleanor Kasper of Pierz, MN, Caroline Sadlowsky of Upsala, MN, and Katherine Kasper of Corpus Christi, TX; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Viola was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Urban (March 25, 1991); siblings, Mamie Felix, Theresa Thommes, Gertrude Brummer, Clara Britz, Herman Kasper, John Kasper, Marianne Kasper, Leona Motschke, and Leonard Kasper.