Roger W. Gruhn

Funeral Services for Roger W. Gruhn will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Kenton Birtell officiating.  Military rites will be provided by the United States Navy Funeral Honors Team at the church at the conclusion of the service.  Following the traditional funeral the family will honor Roger's wish for cremation and a private family inurnment will be held at the Highland Cemetery in Ravenna, Nebraska at a later date.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services will be followed. The Gruhn family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend Roger's services based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community. The funeral service for Roger will be live-streamed via the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook Page. ( https://www.facebook.com/Mt-Calvary-Lutheran-Church-109006532511492 )

Roger William Gruhn, 77 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 14, 2020, at his home in Holdrege.  Roger was born on November 16, 1942, in Poole, Nebraska, the fourth of five children to Berthold E. and Ella A. (Ohlmann) Gruhn. When Roger was young, the family resided in Buffalo Center, Iowa for five years until settling to Ravenna.  He received his education from Ravenna Public Schools, graduating from Ravenna High School with the class of 1960.

Following his education, Roger was inducted into the United States Navy in 1963, and served his country until his honorable discharge in 1967.  He was stationed the Norfolk, Virginia.

On October 17, 1965, he was united in marriage to Linda L. Ekdahl at Wausa, Nebraska and the couple were blessed with two children:  Neil and Cheryl.  The family made their home in Holdrege, where Roger was employed by K-N Energy from 1967 until 1973.  He then began a long career as a HVAC contractor.  Roger owned and operated Holdrege Heating and Air Conditioning from 1973 until his retirement in 2004.  Following his retirement, Roger enjoyed driving truck for local farmers during harvest, and also drove truck for Big Rigs and Central Valley Irrigation both of Holdrege.  Roger was also a farmer at heart, and loved working in the field on his tractor.

After retirement, Roger enjoyed being out in the garage working with his hands, and helping the family when he was called upon.  He absolutely loved the relaxing time of fishing on the banks of a lake, and was an avid Husker sports fan.  He was a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, and was also a member of the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in Holdrege.

Roger and Linda enjoyed traveling together, and thoroughly loved following their grandchildren's activities and later in years when the great-grandchildren came along they were the highlight of his life.

Besides his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law:  Wilbur and Doris Ekdahl; and his sister, Lois (Gruhn) Burns.

Roger leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of almost 55 years, Linda Gruhn of Holdrege; two children:  Neil Gruhn and his wife, Deniah of Wilcox, Nebraska; and Cheryl Gruhn of Overland Park, Kansas; two grandchildren:  Anthony Gruhn and his wife, Sayleigh of Minden, Nebraska; and Cody Gruhn and his wife, Callie of Tallahassee, Florida; four great-grandchildren:  Adalynn, Hayleigh, Brecklyn, and Rhett; two sisters:  Lavonne Boettcher and her husband, Ronnie of Rake, Iowa; and Florence Natzke and her husband, Bob of Wayside, Wisconsin; one brother, Virgil Gruhn and his wife, Sharon of Ravenna; brothers-in-law:  Bob Ekdahl and his wife, Annie of Omaha, Nebraska; Tom Ekdahl and his wife, Pat of Fremont, Nebraska; sisters-in-law:  Susan Morris of Mountain Home, Idaho; and Cathy Janssen and her husband, Mike of Norfolk, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 20, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Roger's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

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

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.