Phyllis Gruber slipped gently into the next life at the Davis Hospice Center on November 20, 2017, after a long journey through Alzheimer’s disease.

Phyllis Maxine Gemmer was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on March 11, 1925, to Charles and Irene Notter Gemmer. She graduated from Lafayette Center High School in 1942, and from Ball State Teacher’s College in 1946, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. After an additional year’s training in anesthesia, she became a nurse anesthetist.

Phyllis married Joe Gruber on April 22, 1950, and they shared a wonderful relationship for over 60 years. They lived in Indiana, Florida, Michigan, and Washington State in Bellevue and on San Juan Island.

Phyllis was proud of the many years she spent working in nursing in the OR, the ICU, Home Health, and finally at the Island Care Center in Friday Harbor, WA. She became a hospice volunteer on retirement, first in Friday Harbor and later in Cheyenne.

Phyllis kept a beautiful home and prepared delicious meals for her family. She supported her husband and children in all of their endeavors. She had boundless energy. She and Joe maintained many close friendships across the country. They particularly enjoyed camping with friends and family, road trips, bridge, and boating, crabbing, digging clams, and picking oysters.

Phyllis is survived by daughter, Amy Gruber (Jim Johnson); son, Mark Gruber (Yvonne); grandchildren, Joseph, James, Andrew, Peter, and Matthew Bergene, and Michael, David, John, Annalise, and Christina Gruber; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents and by all five of her siblings, Eldon, Geraldine, Arden, Gladys, and Ralph. She was the last of her generation and she will be deeply missed.

Phyllis has donated her body to University of Utah School of Medicine to further medical education. Joe and Phyllis’s ashes will be returned to Puget Sound at a later date. There will be a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church in Cheyenne on Friday, November 24, at 1:00 p.m.

The family very much appreciates the many years of care that Phyllis received at Life Care Center of Cheyenne, and her last very comforting days at the Davis Hospice Center.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home.

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