Martha A. Gruss

Through the life of Martha Gruss we are reminded that happiness is not found in the accumulation of wealth or in the accolades given by our peers, but that true joy is found in deeply loving those around us. A woman who was content in all things, she experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer, but considered her most precious moments to be those spent with her beloved family. Martha was an extraordinary mother who treasured caring for her children, but she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her greatest reward. With an unwavering faith as her constant companion, she created a brilliant mosaic of memories that will be a lasting treasure for generations to come. Life during the 1920s in America was a time of great prosperity when innovation was fueling changes that forever transformed the cultural fabric of our nation. Motion pictures became available in both color and sound while new conveniences such as the refrigerator and washing machine changed the daily lives of homemakers from coast to coast. It was as this decade was drawing to a close that a bustling family from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, was pleased to add a healthy baby girl into the mix. Baby Martha was the eleventh of twelve children born to her parents, James and Minnie (Robertson) Wilmot. She was raised in the family home in Mt. Pleasant alongside her older siblings, Basil, Hazel, Helen, Leo, Veryl, Donald Doc, Emogene, Carolyn, Joe, and Ed, and her younger brother, John. Marthas father worked as a farmer while her mother had more than enough to keep her busy at home. In many ways Martha experienced a childhood that was reflective of the times. She attended local schools including Mt. Pleasant High School and also worked at the five and dime store on Jockey Alley. Ready to embark on all life had in store, Martha graduated from high school in 1948. Life was forever changed for Martha when she met the young man with whom she would share a lifetime of love. His name was Peter J. Gruss, and they met when he and his cousin, Francis, were cruising around town and came upon Martha and her friend, Lois Jordan. Taken by the young ladies, Peter and his buddy stopped to chat. Martha stole Peters cap, which led to a conversation. Soon after, he began courting her at her place of work when she was working at the five and dime. After dating for a time and falling deeply in love, Martha and Peter were married on November 29, 1952, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Together they were blessed with seven children: Karl, Joni, Marlene, Joe, Michelle, Michael, and Gina. Sadly, Michael died just a couple of hours after he was born. From the moment her first child arrived Martha fully immersed herself into her new role. She was always ready to forgive when needed and also had the patience of a saint, which was a vital component in living life with such a large family. In everything her children did, Martha was their biggest supporter, and she always believed in them, too. Over the years there were many things that enriched Marthas life. Spending time with her family was always what she loved best. When grandchildren came along Martha was delighted, and being with them quickly became a favorite activity. The family dinners she hosted in the hillbilly shack behind the house were something everyone looked forward to. For over 20 years Martha worked at the Mt. Pleasant Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities - first as an attendant and later in the kitchen. She officially retired in 1989. Martha was a faithful member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish for many years, her faith her constant companion. She loved to cook and can with her daughters and grandchildren, and as her family and friends can attest, everything that came out of her kitchen was fantastic. Martha enjoyed getting away on vacation, spending a lot of time camping in Cadillac and Arcadia, and she also spent quite a bit of time out West with her in-laws, Ron and Joann and Clarence and Jacqueline. She was an avid solitaire player with her new Kindle Fire, often ignoring everyone around her. During her younger years she was on a golf league with coworkers. There are so many things we will miss about Martha Gruss. We will miss her sense of humor, her sunny disposition, and her timeless wisdom, but most of all we will miss her love. Martha could be a bit stubborn when it came to things she felt passionate about, yet she had a graceful presence that laced everything she said and did. There was no greater treasure in her life than the family who will carry on her timeless legacy. Martha will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Martha Gruss of Beal City died on Saturday, July 7, 2012, at The Laurels of Mt. Pleasant. Marthas family includes her husband, Peter; six children, Karl (Annette) Gruss of Mt. Pleasant, Joni Gruss of Midland, Marlene (Doug) Gill of Rosebush, Joe (Brenda) Gruss of Mt. Pleasant, Michelle Dilts of Grand Rapids, and Gina (Brett) Benaske; 11 grandchildren, Aaron (Stacy) Gruss, Kelly (Corey) Block, Eric (Jill) Gruss, Clint (Elizabeth) Gill, Bryon (Jen) Gill, Tony Gill, Eddie Joe, Cody and, Nathan Gruss, Alex and Hannah Benaske; seven great-grandchildren, Miranda and Evan Lund, Cade, Drew and Brynn Block, Allison Gill and Sofie Gruss; five sisters-in-law, Doris Terbush of Weidman and Pat Wilmot of Shepherd, Joann (Ron) Schumacher of Beal City, Betty Gruss of Mt. Pleasant, and Jacqueline Gruss of Grand Rapids; one brother-in-law, Richard Gruss of Beal City; and many nieces and nephews. Martha was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael; eleven siblings, Basil, Hazel, Helen, Leo Ted, Veryl, Donald Doc, Emogene, Carolyn, Joe, Ed, and John. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Beal City with Father Patrick Jankowiak presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the gathering room at the church on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues on Wednesday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker School or Woodland Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the church or at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home.