Wallace A. "Wally" Gruber

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Wallace A. “Wally” Gruber, 93, of St. Cloud will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2016 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Lower Church in St. Cloud. Wally passed away at home on Monday, September 26, 2016 due to declining health. Reverend Scott Pogatchnik will officiate. Inurnment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, St. Cloud.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and after 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 4:00 p.m. and the St. Cloud Knights of Columbus Council #961 will pray at 6:00 p.m. followed right after by the Waite Park American Legion Post #428 Thursday at the funeral home.
Wally was born on September 27, 1922 in St. Cloud to the late Clement and Theresa (Schroeder) Gruber. He was a graduate of Cathedral High School and served in the US Army as a paratrooper in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Wally married Tannis Wimmer on May 14, 1947 at Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Oakland, California and they returned to St. Cloud in 1948. Wally began working as a lineman for NSP in 1949 and retired as a Customer Service Rep. in 1980. He was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral, a charter member of Holy Spirit Parish, lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus #961, lifetime member of the Waite Park American Legion Post #428 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union.
Wally enjoyed traveling with Tannis and they spent many years as snowbirds; primarily in Tucson. Wally was also an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing. Above all, he treasured time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Wally will be remembered for his hard work and for always being willing and available to lend a helping hand to family, friends and those in need. Wally took pride in his home. He and Tannis were involved in building five homes in South St. Cloud throughout their lives.
Wally is survived by his children, Pam (Bob) Thienes, Terry (Iris), Gayle Gruber-Bengston all of St. Cloud, John of Little Falls; ten grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Bill (Katie) Wimmer of Pearl Lake.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Tannis in 2010; son-in-law, Jim Bengston; and sister, Marjorie Garden.
A Heartfelt thank you to Wendy Cater for her loving and professional care. We also would like to thank the staff of the VA Medical Center.
Memorials are preferred to the National Federation for the Blind, St. Mary’s Cathedral or Poor Clares Monastery.