Mildred Gruver
March 7, 1920 - September 19, 2009
Obituary
SUNNY GRUVER
Mildred ‘Sunny’ Gruver passed away in Sumner, WA, Saturday morning, September 19, 2009 after a five week battle with pneumonia. She was 89 years old. Sunny was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, William Dineen Gruver. She is survived by their six children, Dineen Gruver of Burien, Denis Joanne Gruver of Tacoma, twins: Debbie Greg Westendorf of Redmond, OR and Devin Gruver of Seattle, Dwyer Gruver of Federal Way and Deidre Jim Lee of Puyallup, as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sunny was born in Issaquah, WA to Tuomas Tom Suni IV and Elvira Ojala Suni on March 7 or 8, 1920, depending on which birth certificate both signed by the same doctor you read. Both her parents were first generation U.S. citizens of families that came from Finland.
Her mother died of tuberculosis when Sunny was only five years old. In 1927, Sunny went to live with her aunt, Ida Ojala Maki, in Tieton, WA. Her aunt spoke only Finnish. Sunny soon became fluent in both Finnish and English. She went to school in Tieton and graduated class valedictorian. She later attended Yakima Business College. Her first job was as a secretary to the treasurer of the State unemployment office in Olympia.
When the U.S. entered World War II, Sunny passed a civil service exam and took a job with the U.S. Army Finance Office in Seattle. There she met Bill Gruver and they were married in the Seattle area on January 6, 1947. Within a couple of years they moved to a house in Burien, WA. They raised their six children in the Burien community.
Sunny served as a Cub Scout den mother. She enjoyed many simple pleasures in life: gardening, shopping at thrift and antique stores, and playing pinochle. She spent many hours braiding wool rugs for the home. Some of Sunny’s fondest memories were of family camping trips, taking the ‘tribe’ to the lake for a picnic and swimming, and all the many family get-togethers.
Her sunny smile will be missed by all.
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We feel so happy that we were able to be friends with your mom and family through the years. Sunny was always so friendly & loving and a real joy to be around.
We are thinking & praying for all of you at this sad time.
We know that she is in a far better place with her husband and loved one’s that have gone on before.
God bless you all. Our love, Jim & Dee Meadows
When my son and I became part of the Gruver family, Sunny was a large part of our lives and she gave so much and asked for so little in return. A kind, warm gentle soul who seemed to love life and everyone in it. She remained a friend to me over the years and I will never forget her love and generosity she gave so selfishly. It will always mean alot to me to have those precious memories of her.
Rest in peace my friend, I love you.
Kendra
I am so sorry I meant to say unselfishly, please forgive me.
Debbie,
We are so sorry you lost your mom. The big consolation is that she has no more pain and earthly burdens. She is with Our Lord and all those who loved her and went before her. We’ll be seeing you tomorrow and can give you a big, warm hug in person. We wish we had more time in town to spend with you but we are thankful to be seeing you and Greg in person during this sad time. God Bless You! We will be offering several Rosaries and Masses for your mom…there are no greater gifts!
Our most heartfelt love,
Rich and Shirley Krivitz