Obituary of Benjamin Paul Gruis

    Benjamin Paul “Benji” Gruis, only son of Dan and Helen (Dustin) Gruis, was born December 18, 1987 in Des Moines, Iowa. He spent his early years in rural Melvin, Iowa and attended the Sibley-Ocheyedan school.

    As with most guys his age, Benji liked being outdoors, and was always ready to go hunting or fishing. His musical talent became evident when he taught himself to play guitar...and actually got pretty good at it! He moved with his parents into the town of Melvin, and spent a lot of his free time just hanging out with friends.

    As he became old enough, Benji worked with his Dad at his business, Gruis Powerwashing Service, out of Melvin. Later he was employed at AMPI in Sanborn, Iowa, and then at Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS) also in Sanborn. Eventually he transferred with FCS to the Little Rock, Iowa location as Grain Superintendent.

    Among all his interests and activities, Benji’s favorite thing to do was spend time with his nieces and nephews. He babysat with them when they were young, and played with them as they got older. They were crazy about him, and he, them. Benji was a real “jokester” at heart and the kids adored him for it. He may have had had problems talking, but not communicating…and he always enjoyed a good laugh, even if it was at his own expense. He will be lovingly remembered as “Uncle Benji” by his nieces, nephews, and other kids he came in contact with; he was a treasured SON, BROTHER and FRIEND.   

    Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Dan and Helen Gruis of Melvin, Iowa; sisters: Shawna Meyers-Reiter (Jesse Eldridge) of Sanborn, Iowa, Jesse Clancy (Eric) of Melvin, Iowa, and Niki Doughty (Eric) of Hartley, Iowa; “adopted” brother, Dan Stofferan of Sanborn, Iowa; nieces and nephews: Mark Meyers (Ravyn LeClair) of Hartley, Iowa, Max Meyers of Sanborn, Iowa, Alexa Reed-Clancy, Carter Clancy, and Blake Clancy all of Melvin, Iowa, Kendal Doughty, Mason Doughty both of Hartley, Iowa, and Matthew Meyers of Sanborn, Iowa; grandparents: Don and Judy McCabe of Des Moines, Iowa, and Barbara Dustin of Alvin, Texas; other relatives and many friends.

Celebration of Life   

 Benjamin“Benji” Gruis

Born ~ December 18, 1987

Died ~ July 16, 2018

Age ~ 30 years    6 months    28 days

Funeral Service

Monday, July 23, 2018 ~ 10:30 a.m.

American Lutheran Church

Melvin, Iowa

Clergy ~ Rev. Marvin Lindley

Special Music

Processional ~ “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”

                        “How Great Thou Art”  #532

                         “Bittersweet Symphony”

Recessional ~ “Wish You Were Here”

Pallbearers

Dan Gruis    Mark Meyers    Eric Doughty

Dan Stofferan    Max Meyers    Eric Clancy

Honorary Pallbearers

Kenny McCabe   Greg O’Toole   Jesse Eldridge

Matt Penning   Scott Whitehead   Michael Hodapp

Joey Julius   Shaun Ludwig   Mitch Pomerenke

Colton Howard   James Radunz   Justin Wills   TJ Gengler

“The Bad News Crew”

Ushers

Nancy Travaille  ~  Marilyn Damman

Interment

Baker Township Cemetery

Melvin, Iowa

(at a later date)