Sandra Gruman

1972 - 2025

Sandra Ann (Kalous) Gruman, age 52, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025 in Grinnell, Iowa, with her family nearby after an extended illness. The world lost a beautiful soul and heaven gained an angel.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1002 Broad Street, in Grinnell. Following the service, a time of fellowship and lunch will be held at the Poweshiek County Fairgrounds building. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Osage, Iowa at 3:00 p.m.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17th at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell and Sandra's family will receive friends from 3:00-7:00 p.m. A rosary will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at the Smith Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Osage Fire Department or the Grinnell Fire Department and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Online condolences may be shared with Sandra's family at www.smithfh.com.

Sandra Ann Kalous was born October 26, 1972 to Edward F. and Mary Colette J. (Roth) Kalous of Marion, Iowa. After graduating from Marion High School in 1991, she earned a degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa, becoming an accomplished and highly respected teacher. Her passion for teaching left a lasting impression on countless students and colleagues alike in the Osage, East Marshall, and Grinnell school districts.

While at UNI, Sandra met Bill Gruman at Saint Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, which formed a lasting impact on their faith journeys, especially in music ministry. They were wed on July 18, 1998. Sandra went on to cantor for more than 30 years.

Sandra embraced life with faith and love, drawing in everyone around her with warmth and sincerity. She had many joys in life including gardening, Scouting America, Osage and Grinnell Fire Department Auxiliaries, teaching Faith Formation, Sacrament preparation, and presenting Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experiences with her husband, Bill.

Above all, Sandra cherished time spent with her family and took great delight in supporting anything related to their lives. She is lovingly remembered by her husband, William (Bill); her children, Adam (Elizabeth), of Ely, Iowa; Ryan, of Chariton, Iowa; Monica and Emily; her parents, Edward F. and Mary Collete (Roth) Kalous of Marion, Iowa; her sister, Theresa (Gordon) Milton of Blue Springs, Missouri; her brother, Edward J (Gina) Kalous of Norfolk, Nebraska; and her nieces and nephews. Sandra is preceded in death by a stillborn son, Andrew.

May Sandra's memory bring comfort to those who knew her and continue to inspire all whose lives she touched.