Rev. Herman Harm Gruis Jr.

Rev. Herman Harm Gruis, Jr. was born March 24, 1931, to Herman, Sr. and Jennie Kuiper Gruis in Hollandale. He attended Hollandale Elementary School through 8th grade. On April 10, 1953, Rev. Herman was united in marriage to Adeline Ruth Abbas at the Ackley Christian Reformed Church. He received his GED from Austin High School in 1964, his AA from Austin Junior College in 1966, and his B. A. Degree in Political Science and Economics from Mankato State University in 1967. Rev. Herman attended Western Theological Seminary earning his Master of Divinity Degree in 1970 and becoming an ordained minister. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Political Science Honor Society, received first prize in Theology WTS, and was given the Pietenpol Award. Rev. Herman served at Lakeland Reformed Church in Vicksburg, MN, from 1970 - 78, at First Reformed Church in Edgerton, MN, 1978 - 84, at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City, MN, 1984 - 91, at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Morrison, IL, 1991 - 98, as Interim Pastor at Reformed Church of Firth in Firth, NE, for 8 months, and at Bethany Reformed Church in Belmond, IA, 1998 - 2004, having been in the Ministry for 34 years. He was a member of Rotary from 1970 - 1978, the Lions from 1984 - 1991, and Kiwanis from 1991 - 1997, serving as President in all three organizations. Survivors include his wife, Adeline; children: Beverly and husband Rev. Jack Branford, Duane Herman Gruis, Linda and husband Michael Squires, and Susan and husband Rev. Stephen Hielkema; 9 grandchildren; sister, Margaret Gruis Nelson; nephew, Larry Nelson; and niece, Judy and husband Tedd Baumgardt. Rev. Herman was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elizabeth Gruis. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be given to: The Rev. Herman and Mrs. Adeline Gruis and Hollandale Church Christmas Fund.