Wayne Eugene Gruben

Wayne Eugene Gruben was born October 30, 1934 to Marie (Harms) and George Gruben. He grew up on the family farm along with his 2 older brothers, Dean and Norman, and 2 younger sisters, Judith and Beverly. Wayne graduated from Rochelle (Illinois) Township High School and went on to graduate from the University of Illinois with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. At the University, Wayne was a member of the Delta Phi fraternity, serving as its president during his senior year. Upon graduation, he began working at John Deere Spreader works in East Moline, IL as a project design engineer. Wayne met his future wife Jacqueline in 1959 and they were married in 1961. Wayne completed graduate school at Purdue University, receiving a Master's Degree in engineering. While at Purdue, Wayne and Jacquie welcomed their first child, daughter Dana. Upon graduation, Wayne and his family returned to Moline where he resumed his career with John Deere. Two more children were born in Moline: 1st was another daughter, Deidre, and then a few years later, their only son, Peter. In 1969, Wayne was transferred by John Deere to Dubuque, IA where his design engineering career shifted from agricultural to construction equipment. Wayne retired from John Deere in 1986 and then consulted for 10 more years with John Deere and other companies who benefitted from his engineering expertise before finally retiring in 1996. Upon retirement, Wayne and Jacquie moved from Dubuque to Bella Vista, AR and lived there for 27 years, enjoying a full retirement, playing golf and bridge regularly, and forming friendships with other retirees. In his spare time, Wayne loved to travel, serving as a Friendship Force ambassador, including travels to Sweden, and Costa Rica, and hosting guests from Austria, Lithuania, and Sweden. Wayne and Jacquie have also traveled to Australia 17 times since 1988 as their oldest daughter Dana has settled and raised her family there. Wayne also volunteered his time in Ukraine in the early 1990's, helping engineers adapt their processes and machinery to privatize businesses after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Wayne's faith and commitment to the church was always a big part of his life. He was a devoted church member, serving in various roles at the churches he attended over the years: usher, church council member, trustee. He also studied to be a Stephen Minister and served as a hospice volunteer, a role at which he excelled due to his faith and his gentle, loving personality. Wayne touched and impacted many lives. He was a devoted and supportive husband to his wife Jacquie. He was a loving, proud and involved father throughout his children's lives. Wayne had a quiet strength and modeled for others his faithfulness, commitment to family, and reliability. Wayne was patient and methodical, slow to anger, and was blessed with a beautifully dry and understated sense of humor, as well as a brilliant mind, and the ability to design and solve problems with his hands. In May, Wayne and Jacquie moved from Arkansas to Minnesota to be closer to their daughter, Deidre. Wayne passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024 and is survived by his loving wife Jacquie; daughter Dana Gruben (Phillip Myers) of Sydney, Australia; daughter Deidre Boyea (Bruce) of Bloomington, MN; son Peter Gruben (Noony) of Glen Carbon, IL; seven grandchildren: Maximilian (Heldya), Lily and Karl Myers, Samuel (Holly) and Hoffman Boyea, and Henry and Owen Gruben; plus 2 great-grandchildren: Dottie Boyea, and Fritz Myers. A memorial service for Wayne will be held Monday June 17th at 11:00 am at Oak Grove Lutheran Church, 7045 Lyndale Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423, with luncheon to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, you may consider making a memorial donation to your favorite charity or to Dementia Society of America, https://www.dementiasociety.org/memorials The family also invites you to share a message on Wayne's memorial page: https://www.weremember.com/wayne-eugene-gruben/9w2o/memories

Tributes

Wayne Eugene Gruben

October 30, 1934 - June 6, 2024

Tributes

Wayne Eugene Gruben

October 30, 1934 - June 6, 2024

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