Luroy L. Gruwell

A funeral service for Luroy “Bo” Gruwell will be held on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Naponee Wesleyan Church in Naponee, Nebraska with Pastor Jay Brandon and Pastor Scott Randall officiating. Interment will follow at the Naponee Cemetery.

Luroy “Bo” Lloyd Gruwell, 81years of age, of Republican City, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026, at Harlan County Health Systems Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Bo was born on October 22, 1944, in Naponee the third of four children, born to Lloyd and Berniece (McCready) Gruwell. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Naponee, one mile into Kansas, where he developed a deep appreciation for family, friends, hard work, animals, farming, and raising livestock. He received his education from Sumner Country School and graduated from Naponee High School in 1962, where he participated in sports and many other school activities. After graduation, he began working on the family farm.

Bo married Patricia Patterson in 1964. Throughout Bo’s lifetime he was a farmer, rancher, manager of the Patterson Harbor Marina in Republican City, and regional manager of the World Herald for many years. They raised four children, Roger, Jerry, Debra, and Denise in the Republican City and Alma communities.

In 2013, he met his loving companion, Sharon Johnson. They lived in Republican City while managing the farm and ranch. Together they shared a life filled with family, friends, and travel.

As a dedicated fourth-generation rancher and farmer, he knew how to raise livestock and grow a bountiful crop. He believed in an honest day’s work, sunrise to sunset. He enjoyed outdoor activities like hunting and fishing while spending time with family and friends. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching his favorite baseball team, NASCAR, and pro-rodeo events. He loved watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and succeed in life.

Whether he was helping a neighbor, working on the farm, or sharing a story and a laugh with friends and family at a local establishment, Bo lived a life of kindness, generosity and staying connected to the people that meant the most to him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Berniece (McCready) Gruwell; one sister, Donna Pfleiger; his brother-in-law, Junior Pfleiger; two nieces: Sheri (Pfleiger) Wark; and Brenda (Schriner) Million; and two great-nephews: Nicholas Blubaugh; and Andy Cole.

He is survived by his loving partner, Sharon Johnson; four children: Roger Gruwell (Lynette); Jerry Gruwell (Crystal); Debra Gross (Sam); and Denise Ambrosier (Rick); 12 grandchildren: Sophie (Ty) Hadwiger; Sidney (fiancée, Tiana) Gruwell; Samuel Gruwell; Chasidy Lambert and fiancé, Nick; Lane (Sydney) Gruwell; Nick (Jess) Johnson; Kyle Johnson; Tessa Johnson; David Gross; Daphne Gross; Morgan (Nathan) Nutter; and Bret (Cecily) Ambrosier; nine great-grandchildren: Jack Hadwiger; Keenan Lambert; Celina Lambert; Emerynn Johnson; Jace Johnson; Averie Gross; Maverick Gross; Ava Nutter; and Owen Nutter; two sisters: Beulah (Maurice) Schriner; and Mary (Tom) Blubaugh; and many extended family members, dear friends, and fellow farmers and ranchers.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with family greeting at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma.

Memorial donations may be made to the family for future designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com 

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.