Shirley Gruber (nee Fettes), late of Gladmar, passed away peacefully with her family and nurse by her side on August 16, 2014, after a brief battle with cancer. Shirley was 72 years old. Shirley is predeceased by her parents Alfred and Veronica Fettes (nee Celly); sister Dorothy Fettes; brother Terrance Fettes; father-in-law John Gruber; mother-in-law Mary Gruber (nee Lech). Shirley is survived by her husband Allan Gruber; daughter Marnie Gruber; brother-in-law John (Lise) Gruber; sisters-in-law: Marilyn (Allan) Johnson, Lourianne (Marv) Lynne, Marianne Gruber; nephew Michel Gruber; as well as numerous friends and members of the Fettes and Gruber families. Shirley was born on July 18, 1942, in Ceylon, to Alfred and Veronica Fettes. She grew up on the family farm at Gladmar with her parents and siblings Dorothy and Terry. She attended school in Gladmar and Minton and once she completed high school she began working at the Gladmar Co-op. In 1963 Allan Gruber came to Gladmar and also began working at the Co-op. In May of 1971 the two were married at the Court House in Estevan, and moved to Riceton where they managed the Co-op store there. In 1973 they returned to the family farm at Gladmar and began a trenching and backhoe business. The two worked side-by-side putting in sewer and water to farms and small towns like Khedive, Torquay and Halbrite. In 1979 their only child Marnie was born and Shirley stayed home to take care of her. In 1982 they sold the trenching business and started road construction. Shirley took care of Marnie and did books for the business. In 1984 Shirley and Al purchased some farm land and began farming with her parents. Shirley loved the farm. She was always busy driving a tractor or hauling grain depending on the time of year. She also loved her yard and was busy all summer with the hundreds of flowers that were planted and the acres of grass to mow. She found peace of mind on the mower and in the flowers away from the hustle and bustle of the world. Shirley also loved people and to visit. If you were visiting the farm you could never leave without eating and if you went home hungry it was your own fault. No one ever left Shirley's house hungry. She also loved children and could often be seen at the Gladmar Co-op with the local kids visiting with her and waiting for their treats she would get them. At Halloween kids would come from all over to get the bags of candy she would prepare. That always brought such joy to her and she would keep track of which kids came each year for their treats. Shirley also was very involved in the community and was a member of the Minton-Gladmar Credit Union Board, Gladmar Rec Board, Gladmar Bowling Club and volunteered for various functions in the surrounding area. She spent many hours at the bowling alley before and after it was built helping out however she could. She also spent a great deal of time at the Gladmar Cemetery cutting grass and helping out with anything that needed to be done. Her last big volunteering venture was when she sold tickets for the fundraiser to build the new hospital in Radville. She enjoyed every minute of it! She got to socialize with people and help a good cause, two of her favorite things. Little did she know that she would be one of the first patients in the new facility when it opened. She was very proud of the work she did to help gather funds for the facility. Shirley also loved sports and when she was younger curled and played softball. She also enjoyed golfing from time to time. She enjoyed watching sports on TV as well and never missed a golf tournament where Tiger Woods was playing. Cremation has taken place and a Service of Remembrance will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Shirley may be made to the Radville Marian Health Care Auxiliary, Box 424, Radville, SK, S0C 2G0 or STARS, 2625 Airport Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 7L1.Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (306-848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com"Our family serving your family"
