Leola Gruling

Leola “Lee” May Gruling , age 89 of Montello went peacefully to heaven on March 14, 2019 after a brief illness. Lee was born in Burlington to Ellis “Bing” and Evelyn (Clark) Richmond. She married Victor Gruling in Athens on August 15, 1959 and together they moved to Montello in the early 1970’s; Victor preceded Lee in death on April 22, 2011.

She was an accomplished baker, quilter, seamstress, embroiderer, gardener and cook. She found joy in creating her own recipes and entered many baking contests. She generously shared all of her baked goods with family, friends, neighbors, doctors and nurses at the hospitals and many others. She loved dancing, music, playing pool, and writing her own jokes and sending them to Reader’s Digest.

Lee is survived by three daughters: Bonnie (Joe) Leitinger of Waukesha, Kathy (Randy) Wagner of DeForest and Vicki Gruling of Milwaukee as well as two sons: Mark (Cathy) of San Tan Valley, AZ and David of Waukesha.  She is also survived by daughter-in-law, Jan Gruling as well as 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and sisters: Susie Becker of Prospect Heights, IL and Ruth Tutt, Waukesha.  Lee is further survived by sisters-in-law: Eppie Gruling of Merrill, Ruthie Richmond of Burlington and Elaine Richmond of Marinette, many nieces, nephews and special friend, Bob O’Dette of Montello.

Lee is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Victor Gruling, daughter, Yvonne, sons: Tom and Greg, parents, sisters: Violet Shake and Jeannette Curtis, and brothers: Kenny and Jack Richmond as well as many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A Celebration of Lee’s Life and luncheon will be held Sunday, April 7th starting at 1:00 pm at the American Legion Post #351, W3008 Hwy 23, Montello, WI.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Agrace Hospice in Lee’s name would be appreciated.

Eskimo Legend: Perhaps the stars in the sky are not truly stars, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family.  www.CrawfordFH.com