Sister M. Bernard Gruba

GRUBA Sister M. Bernard Sister M. Bernard Gruba, 99, a Sister of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio, died March 8, 2008, at the Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio. She was born Susan Gruba on October 23, 1908, to John and Martha (Czanstowski) Gruba in Delano, MN. On June 8, 1925, she entered the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio from St. Bernard Parish in Thorpe, WI. Her final vows were professed on August 16, 1934. Sister Bernard earned a B.S. in physical therapy/biology at the University of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; Certificates for X-Ray technician and Laboratory technician and Licensure as a physical therapist. Sister Bernard taught primary grades at St. Stanislaus School, Wyandotte, MI before she began her medical ministry as a Laboratory X-Ray technician trainee/intern at St. Francis Hospital, Hamtramck, MI, St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia, PA and as a physical therapy student at St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. For the next 35 years, Sister worked in the fields of Laboratory, X-Ray and physical therapy beginning at Mercy Hospital, Liberty, TX and then at St. Mary Hospital, North Platte, NE where she also served as administrator. Sister worked as a physical therapist at St. John Hospital, Steubenville, OH before returning to Sylvania, OH where she spent the rest of her ministry as physical therapist with the Sisters of St. Francis. Beginning while Bishop Hoffman was the Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Sylvania, Ohio, and for nearly twenty years she served as Sacristan, Coordinator of Eucharistic Ministers and organist there. Throughout her Third Age Ministry Sister Bernard continued to play the organ and teach Wholistic Healing and Reflexology at Rosary Care Center. Sister also took every opportunity to pick up the incoming and outgoing mail so that she could share her wonderful sense of humor with everyone she met. In June, 2003, Sr. Bernard joyously celebrated her 75th Jubilee surrounded by her Sisters, family and friends. It was a proud accomplishment for a woman who devoted her life to the service of others. In her words, "I truly enjoy and love my life as a Sister . . . and I sure would do it again, but I would do it earlier". Sister Bernard leaves to cherish her memory, her sister, Eleanore Stuttgen and her brother, Anthony "Tony" Gruba, both of Chippewa Falls, WI; many cousins, nieces and nephews; many dear friends and her Sisters in Community. A Welcoming Service will be held at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio on Wednesday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. Her remains will be moved to Madonna Hall for viewing until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and after 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2008 until her Mass of Christian Burial in Queen of Peace Chapel, Sylvania, Ohio, at 4:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio. Arrangements by the Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home (419-531-4424).