Maruth G. Gruver

MARUTH G. GRUVER
January 7, 1924 ˜ July 1, 2023

We lost our dear mother, Maruth G. Gruver, on July 1, at the age of 99-1/2. Maruth was born to Margretha (nee Peters) and David Gloeckler on Monday, Jan. 7, 1924, on a farm outside of Shafter, CA. She grew up in a Mennonite family, the youngest of seven sisters (Alma, Myrtle, Gladys, Melba, Teena, and Daisy). On the farm, the family raised livestock, grew fruit, and hosted weddings. Upon graduation from Wasco Union High School, Maruth attended San Jose State University, then the University of Southern California, earning a bachelor of science degree in business administration in 1945.

Transcribing shorthand at 140 words per minute, Maruth found work at Paramount Pictures. A talented singer, Maruth sang harmony with “The Girlfriends” quartet, touring Hawaii and Las Vegas. She met Walter F. E. Gruver, a charming former Marine, and married him in 1950. Maruth also found employment with a Q-clearance preparing presentation material at the Sandia Base principal nuclear weapons installation of the U.S. Department of Defense. Maruth and Walt retired in Vancouver, WA, and had many friends in the DuBois Park neighborhood and golfing buddies at the Royal Oaks Country Club. Maruth also enjoyed playing contract bridge with her bridge club.

Maruth is survived by her children, Patrice Dodd and son-in-law Russ (Boise, ID), Jean Gruver (Mt. Vernon, WA), Paul Gruver and daughter-in-law Karin (Lakebay, WA), and Phil Gruver and daughter-in-law Linda (Santa Clara, CA). Surviving grandchildren are Kirstin, Erik, Cynthia, Sophia, Shaun, and Steven.

Maruth will be interred with her husband, Corporal U.S. Marine Corp (ret.) Walter Francis Eugene Gruver at the Willamette National Cemetery.
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