Lillian "Kitty" Emily (Battershell) Gruis

In Loving Memory of

Lillian “Kitty” Emily Gruis

Kitty Gruis was born on May 26, 1942 in Pryor, Oklahoma to Chester and Berniece Darling Battershell.  She grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from El Camino High School in 1960.  On August 22, 1960 she enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, TX.   Following her honorable discharge on July 26, 1963 she moved to Luverne, MN where she managed the Eagles Club for 15 years.  She later purchased the Green Lantern in Hardwick, MN and ran that for 5 years.  On May 8, 1993 she and Daryl Gruis were married in Luverne.  Following their marriage they made their home on Lake Shetek near Garvin, MN.  Due to failing health Kitty moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on December 30, 2020.  She passed away there on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at the age of 78.  Kitty enjoyed spending time with her family, bartending, shooting pool, gardening, fishing and traveling to Arizona. 

Survivors include her husband, Daryl Gruis of Garvin, MN, two children Steven Johnson and his wife, Cheryl of Castaic, CA, and Tabatha Halverson of Sartell, MN, two step-daughters, Amy Swanson and her husband, Scott of Canton, SD, and Kim Miller of Sheldon, IA, one daughter-in law, JoAnn Johnson of Little Rock, IA, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and three siblings, Betty Owen of Lake Almanor, CA, Celia Gurn of Nampa, ID and Sue Arama of Nampa, ID.  She is preceded in death by her parents, son, James Johnson, step-grandson, Tristen Miller and brother, Daniel Battershell.

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