Funeral services for Sylvia Gruis, age 98, of Little Rock, IA were held on December 16, 2019 at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA, with Rev. Dan Haggar officiating. Burial was at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock. Sylvia died December 12, 2019 at Sibley Specialty Care in Sibley, IA.
She was born December 16, 1920, on a farm west of Little Rock in Lyon County, IA to Klaas and Gertie (Reiter) Nagel. She received her education in a country school near Little Rock. On January 9, 1943 Sylvia was united in marriage to Harvey Gruis in Joplin, MO. They made their home west of Little Rock. They moved to a farm south of Adrian, MN where they farmed until their retirement. In 1984 they moved into Little Rock.
She worked with her husband and sons on the farm milking and doing chores. She always had a big garden and was a wonderful cook. Her husband, Harvey passed away in 2004. She continued to stay in her home until 2016 when she moved to the Sibley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sibley. Her family was very important to her, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as she would often attend their sporting events to support them. She also enjoyed reading, crocheting and playing cards with family and friends.
She is survived by her sons, Lloyd (Dianne) Gruis of Sibley, IA; Stanley Gruis of Mankato, MN; Kevin (Lorie) Gruis of Luverne, MN and Layton (Missy) Gruis of Adrian, MN; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ann Gruis of George, IA; nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harvey; brothers, John (Carrie) Nagel and Henry (Sadena) Nagel; sisters, Jennie (Ben) Groen, Alice (Orvel) Groen and Annie (Alfred) Aeikens.
