In the arms of her beloved husband, Marggy Gruber, passed away unexpectedly, the early morning hours of Friday, December 15, 2017, at their home in Gaylord, MN. She was only 56 years of age and a long-time resident of Milwaukee, WI.
A time of gathering honoring Marggy’s life will be held on Thursday, December 21, from 4-7 pm, with prayers led by Father Tom Walker at 5 pm, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN.
On the blessed day of April 17, 1961 in Omaha, Nebraska, Margaret Marie was born to parents, Jack and Delores (McCormick) O’Boyle. She was the fourth of five children. At the age of eight and due to her father’s job, Marggy’s family moved and settled their roots in Milwaukee, WI. A love for winter skating, she enjoyed walking to the local park and skating until her toes got too cold. Marggy attended South Division High School in Milwaukee, WI.
Sitting at the Corner Store in 1976 and unbeknown to Marggy, her life was about to be enriched. A neighboring young man named John Michael Gruber driving by the store, stopped and invited her to a party. And so, the love story began. Marggy celebrated her 21 st birthday (April 17, 1982) at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Milwaukee, WI, becoming the beloved wife to John. They were soon blessed with two precious daughters, Bridget and Kathleen. Settling their roots in Greenfield, WI, Marggy relished being a wife and mother. Her family was her world!!! Marggy loved attending and cheering on Bridget and Kathleen at their Gymnastics and Cheerleading competitions throughout their youth and in college- she never missed a single competition. She enjoyed creating strong family traditions and providing a well decorated home for them to live in. Later in life, Marggy welcomed the new chapter of being a grandmother. She loved watching and supporting her grandchildren at their gymnastics meets, cheer competitions, and school events. She also relished playing Barbies with her granddaughters and Legos with her grandson.
In her free time, Marggy loved playing racquetball and traveling the world with her family. Some of her most beloved places to visit included Ireland, Seattle, Disney World, Las Vegas and Germany. Marggy too enjoyed casinos, online poker and rollercoasters. She spent many summer days with her dad and daughters at Great America riding the coasters. She enjoyed watching the Olympics, HGTV, old game shows and classic movies, especially Hitchcock movies. Marggy enjoyed shopping, especially at the Mall of America. She enjoyed a good cup of coffee and was very proud of her Irish heritage. A huge Wisconsin football fan, Marggy loved Aaron Rogers and eventually became a Gopher fan too, where her girls attended college.
Earning an x-ray tech degree in the early 1990’s from Milwaukee Area Technical College, Marggy worked in the field, before following in her father’s footsteps as a city bus driver. She loved conversing with the passengers. Unfortunately, Marggy’s health started to decline. She was diagnosed with Alpha One Disease. Over the next 14 years, Marggy fought hard for her family, never complaining. She would however listen to everyone else’s problems’ and always offering such wonderful advice. In January 2017, Marggy and John moved to Gaylord, MN to be closer to the girls and the University of Minnesota, as she waited for a lung transplant.
Marggy’s selfless, compassionate and generous character is a true example of God. She would do or give anything for anyone. Marggy would be often be heard saying, “You like it? – you can have it!” She had a great sense of humor and this contagious laugh. Extremely hardworking, Marggy lived and breathed for her husband, daughters and grandchildren. She wanted everyone she knew to simply be happy and did everything she could to bring her loved ones joy.
Forever missed and forever loved is Marggy’s husband, John; daughters, Bridget (Jason) Ortner, Kathleen (Jeff) Stein; grandchildren, Madeline, Jack, Elizabeth “E” and Bella Ortner, Kennedy Stein; siblings, Mary (Ken) Emmons, Cathy (Greg) Hubatch, Jamie (Dawn) O’Boyle; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
There to welcome Marggy home is her beloved parents, Jack and Delores O’Boyle and brother, Johnny O’Boyle.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Gruber family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
