Gloria Grunig

Pocatello - Gloria Ann Lane Grunig, 74, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2014, at a long-term care facility in Pocatello, Idaho.

Gloria was born February 28, 1940, to Harold Edwin and Ruth Hansen Lane in Montpelier, Idaho. She lived a good portion of her life in Montpelier, and was always a "small-town girl" at heart. Gloria spent her early years with her sisters, Shirley and Karen, learning from their loving parents all the ways to live frugally, cook, garden, clean, and how to provide and care for her own family. Gloria attended public school in Montpelier, and would have graduated with the class of 1958; however, she opted to marry at age 18 and start a family with Richard Wayne Grunig. She later earned her G.E.D.

Richard and Gloria had three children together: Brian, Sally and Amy. They lived for a short time in Las Vegas, Nevada, before returning to Montpelier where Richard built their family home just down the street from his Father. Gloria always tried to make sure her Father-in-Law was well fed as he got older and his health declined. Brian, Sally and Amy remember taking bagged lunches and extra goodies down the street to their Grandpa Grunig's house, courtesy of Gloria. All three kids also have fond memories of coming home from school to the smell of freshly baked cookies, cakes, pies, and bread that was to die for. Baking all kinds of bread was truly Gloria's specialty and there has never been a better loaf of bread baked! The house always had the aroma of old-fashioned home cooked meals and the family rarely, if ever, ate anything Mom didn't make herself. Gloria spent countless hours in the summer canning peaches, pears, cherries, jams, jellies, pickles and anything else she could get her hands on. Richard had to build special shelving in the basement for Mom to store all her canned goods for their family to enjoy throughout the year.

After 17 years together, Richard and Gloria divorced. Gloria was dedicated to doing her best as a single Mom to provide for her family. She was a very hard worker and supported her young family by herself, initially working as a CNA at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, then as a secretary at Bear Lake High School before moving into the position of administrative assistant to the Superintendent of Schools and the School District #33 School Board. In 1984, Gloria moved to Pocatello to be near her children and resided there for the rest of her life.

In Pocatello, Gloria worked in a variety of office jobs from an insurance company to a medical lab as well as spending some time working as a server at JJ North's restaurant where she had many "regulars" who came to appreciate her great service and bright smile.

Gloria found joy in the simple things of life and didn't require much to be happy. Some of her greatest joys were reading a good book, listening to music, singing and dancing with her kids when they were young. Gloria was a true caretaker at heart and nothing pleased her more than to be needed and appreciated. She was a loving, caring, compassionate person who would've done anything to help someone in need, even though she had very little material wealth herself. A fine example of her generosity was when she welcomed Amy's best friend, Christy (Dilworth) Carter, into her home and treated her like a daughter while the two girls were in high school. Gloria also loved her sister's children, and many of them, especially the oldest, have very fond memories of their beloved Aunt Gloria.

As Gloria got older, she was no longer able to work due to various health issues and later developed Alzheimer's Disease. The final few years of her life were spent in 2 different residential care facilities in Pocatello where she received superb care from the staff, but most especially from her daughter, Sally Tarbet. Sally was truly an angel in her Mother's life as she took on TOTAL responsibility for her Mother's care and made sure every one of Mom's needs were met and every request granted. "To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors." Sally and all of Gloria's caregivers will, indeed, be blessed and honored for all they have done. We would like to thank all of the many aides/providers who took care of Mom the last few years.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, an infant sister, and an adult sister, Shirley Lane Greenhalgh. She is survived by her son, Brian (Angela) Grunig, and daughter Sally (Gary) Tarbet of Pocatello; her daughter Amy (Allen Troy) Humpherys of Meridian, Idaho; 12 Grandchildren and 11 Great-Grandchildren (with 2 more expected soon); and her sister, Karen (Lawrence) Fretwell of Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Our Mom has passed peacefully and is now with loved ones. She's free of her body's limitations and can now dance to her sweet soul's content. We love you, Mom!

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 12:00 Noon at the Montpelier City Cemetery.