Willa Adeline Gruhlke

Willa Adeline Gruhlke, 89, of Mazeppa, died Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Zumbrota Health Services. She was born on September 23, 1922, in Oak Center, to Reno and Katherine (Stapel) Barghusen. She grew up on the family farm near Oak Center and later graduated from Red Wing High School. She lived and worked in California and Oregon during WWII before marrying Don Gruhlke on January 20, 1945. They worked together on the family farm near Mazeppa. Willa enjoyed crafts and attending auctions as well as spending time with friends at project group meeting, the Ladies Aid and over coffee. She was a member at St. John's Lutheran Church- Bear Valley.
She is survived by four children, Suzanne (Jim) Greenleaf of Rochester, Steve Gruhlke of Zumbro Falls, Janel "Jill" (Larry) Leimer of Fort Myers, Florida, Shelly Gruhlke of Rochester; six grandchildren, Shawn Gruhlke, Shannon Gruhlke, Steve Gruhlke Jr., Desiree Leimer, William Greenleaf, Stephanie Greenleaf; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Kohn; sister-in-law, Phyllis Heise; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; brother, Rodger Barghusen and foster brother, Fritz Loth.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at St. John's Lutheran Church- Bear Valley, with Reverend Alan Horn officiating. Burial will be at Mazeppa Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 -7 p.m. on Monday at Mahn Family Funeral Home- Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials preferred to Seasons Hospice in Rochester. www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com