Roland F. Grueber, the son of Alvin Fred Grueber and Meta Martha (Mohrmann) Grueber, was born June 10, 1924 at rural Byron, NE and passed away on November 30, 2012 at the Blue Valley Lutheran Nursing Home, Hebron, NE at the age of 88 years, 5 months, and 20 days.
Roland grew up and attended the local schools of Byron, graduating from Byron High School. Roland was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Byron, NE. Roland attended Hastings College at Hastings, NE until he was called to the service. He served with the US Army during WW II, serving from Sept. 3, 1943 until his honorable discharge on Feb. 2, 1946.
On April 20, 1947, he was united in marriage to Gwendaline Renz and to this union was born Cynthia Ann and Susan Kay. The couple made their home in Byron. Roland was the owner and operator of Full Service Filling Station in Byron until 1962. In April of 1962, he became a rural mail carrier for Byron and the surrounding area until his retirement on January 1, 1988.
Roland was a member of the Byron American Legion Post #205, NARFE, the Board of Directors for Byron State Bank, a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council, a school board member, a volunteer with the Fire Department, and a member of the National Rural Lettercarriers Association. He was an avid golfer, a member of the Superior Country Club and also was a referee for volleyball and basketball games.
Roland was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gwendaline on Sept. 10, 1997, and his sister Ernestine K. Frye.
Roland is survived by two daughters: Cindy (Quentin) Hospodka of Omaha, NE and Sue (Cliff) Hobson, of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren: James Hospodka, Rachel (Jesse) Otto, Peter Hospodka, and John Hobson; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Byron, NE with Pastor Myron Meyer, officiating.
Interment will be at the St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Byron with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Ft. Riley Honors Detachment.
Visitation will be from 9 AM until 9PM on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS where the family will greet friends from 5PM until 7 PM on Friday.
Memorials are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Online condolences and information at www.bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.