Norma Jean Gruno, age 90, passed away at The Horizon Senior Living in Clare at 11:16 pm on Friday, January 19, 2024. She was born in Lake, MI on February 6, 1933, the daughter of Hollie and Freda (Scott) Loker. After getting married to her high school sweetheart, Carl, she worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Co. as a phone operator for 3 years in Clare, Michigan. Norma spent most of her life putting God, Family and Friends above most of her other interests.
She loved teaching Sunday School & Youth Groups, reading the Bible and attending church. When she did take some time for recreation, it usually included some of her family. Many camping and fishing trips to Canada and a variety of vacations across the United States kept our memories of family time growing. Her love of the outdoors allowed her to harvest a Black Bear, become a Master Angler, and be a member of the 10 pt. Club as a Whitetail Deer Hunter.
She loved gardening, canning, horseback riding, roller skating, arts and crafts, scrap booking, writing poetry, looking for unique rocks on the shores of The Great Lakes, and building awesome campfires. Norma rode her first roller-coaster at the age of 60…she loved the ones that went upside down……A young 70 yr. old “wowed” us performing 360 degree moves on jet skis. At age 80, after giving up driving an automobile, she continued to enjoy and explore her world on her Bombardier Gator cart on the trails around her property.
Norma is survived by her children, Doug (Brenda) Gruno, Cheryl (Ron) Baker, Glenda (Dave) Krebs, Tom Gruno, Wes (Rebecca) Gruno, Karen (Randy) Oleniczak; 23 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; and 4 great- great grandchildren; siblings, Barbara Krause, and Carrie Ferri; brother-in-law, Bob (Margie) Gruno; sister-in-law, Darlean Ide; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, in 2008; parents; and sister, Betty Graham.
Funeral services for Norma were held at Hurst Funeral Home on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Chaplain Duane Stanton served as officiant. Burial at Fairplain Cemetery will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Gideons International or Forgotten Man Ministries. Norma’s family would like to give special thanks to MyMichigan Hospice and Palliative Care, who helped her to stay at home until the last week of her life.