Frank C. Gruska, 68
St. Cloud
Aug. 16, 1949-March 24, 2018
Frank C. Gruska, 68, of St. Cloud, died peacefully on March 24 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 3 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1036 CR 4, St. Cloud. The Rev. Timothy Gapinski will officiate. Family and friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Monday, April 2 at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, 1900 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, and after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
Gruska was born on Aug. 16, 1949 in St. Cloud to Frank H. and Ella (Gronau) Gruska. He played baseball and wrestled for Tech High School until his graduation in 1967 and proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. On June 12, 1971, he was united in marriage to Mary Kay Hamerlik at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Gruska lived in St. Cloud his entire life. He worked for J.L. Shiely in Waite Park for more than 10 years. Gruska’s passion for the game of golf led him to obtain his PGA teaching certification. He spent more than 20 years managing and teaching golf at many courses in Minnesota. Frank was currently the general manager and club pro at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Sartell. Some of his most proud and rewarding moments were spent teaching the junior golfers his love of the game. He was a kind and humble man with a huge heart, a great sense of humor and a friend to all. He will be missed dearly.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Kay; daughters, Tory (Joel) Van Halbeck of Sauk Rapids, Erin Moss of Oronoco, Minn., Megan (Kirk) Sauer of St. Joseph, and Lindsay (Rob) Pitzen of St. Joseph; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his father, Frank H. Gruska; sisters, Joanie Richardson and Patty (Tom) VanderEyk; brother, Tom (Julie) Gruska, all of St. Cloud.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ella Gruska.
A special thank you to CentraCare Hospice for their loving and compassionate care provided to Frank.
Obituary, Guest Book and Video Tribute available online: www.williamsdingmann.com
