Laura Marie Gruen

Laura Marie Gruen

January 22, 1977 – June 27, 2024

Laura Marie Gruen was born on January 22, 1977 to Pastor Darald & Sharon Gruen in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Though her family did not know it at the time, Laura was born with a brain tumor which would greatly affect the entire course of her life. Laura was baptized into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay where her father served as the assistant pastor. When Laura was one year old, her family moved to Antioch, IL where Laura was a member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church. In that church Laura made her confirmation profession of faith in Jesus as her personal Savior and promised to walk with God all the days of her life, a promise which the Holy Spirit enabled her to keep. After graduating from special education high school, Laura entered the Prader-Willi Homes system in which she lived for 28 years in various group homes and worked in specialized workshops operated by Pantheon Industries. Eventually the brain tumor grew to the point that Laura had to move back with Mom & Dad until God called her spirit to Himself on June 27, 2024. Laura’s personality was one of love, kindness, and compassion toward all, though she could be quite ruthless when playing games. She was a miracle of love made by the hand of her Creator and she left an indelible mark upon the lives of all who knew her. She made us all different people than what we would have been without her. Laura is preceded in death by her grandparents Alfred & Gladys Gruen and Earl & Neta Schwanke, by four brothers and sisters who died in the womb, and by Adam Christman, her beloved boyfriend of 18 years. She is survived by her parents, by her siblings and their mates, David & Kim Gruen, Daniel & Kiersten Gruen, Pastor Jonathan & Nicole Gruen, Rebecca Gruen, Andrew & Cassandra Gruen, and Anna Gruen, and by loving nephews and nieces. Visitation will be at Divine Savior Lutheran Church in Hartford, WI on July 2, 2024 from 9 AM to 11 AM with the Funeral Service beginning at 11 AM. Following the service a luncheon will be served in the church’s fellowship hall. The committal will be at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Tomah, WI at 11 AM the following day. Though our hearts ache at her leaving this earth, we know that she is with Jesus and loved ones in Paradise. That is our comfort.

For those who wish to give a memorial in her name, please consider charitable donations to: 1) PWSA-WI, P.O. Box 324, Menasha, WI 54952 or their website; or 2) The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, 340 S. Lemon Ave., Walnut, CA 91789 or go to the foundation's website.

We express our sincere thanks to Prader-Willi Homes, an organization which gave Laura a place to live, many genuine friends, activities, work at Pantheon, and the chance to meet Adam, her “forever love.”