Marsha Gruner

Marsha Gruner died peacefully December 5, 2024, at home with her son with her. Marsha was born August 9, 1937, in DuQuoin, IL to John and Isabell Wiehn. She attended local schools and graduated from DuQuoin Township High School in 1955 where she played French horn in the band for 4 years. She worked at the DuQuoin State Fair (1956-59) as Assistant to the Publicity Director and worked with Fair performers including Rowan and Martin. The comedy duo left Marsha (and Charles) a wedding gift.

She attended Southern Illinois University (SIU) from 1955 to 1958, was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority, and was on the debate team all 4 years. While at SIU, she met Charles “Chuck” Gruner who became her best friend and love of her life. Marsha and Chuck were married in September 1958. Marsha completed her Bachelor of Science in Education at SIU in the summer of 1961, majoring in Speech. She continued graduate studies at St Lawrence University in Canton, NY and earned her Master of Arts in Speech in 1967 at the University of Nebraska.

In 1969, Marsha and Chuck moved the family to Athens, GA where Chuck was hired as an Associate Professor in the Speech Communications Department. The family moved into their home the day men first walked on the moon. In 1975, Marsha was hired as an instructor in the Speech Communications Department and advised Speech Communications Majors. Around 1982, she became a full-time academic advisor for the UGA College of Arts & Sciences. Both Marsha and Chuck retired in 1997 from the University of Georgia.

Marsha was a huge UGA football fan and always wore her “lucky” bulldog earrings whenever the dawgs played. Marsha and Chuck had season tickets from 1969 through 2022 and went to the Florida game for over 40 years. They were also fans of women’s basketball and the Gym Dogs. Marsha was a Den Leader, Girl Scout Troop Leader (Brownie through Cadette) and volunteered at and even ran Girl Scout Day Camp. She also served in several volunteer leadership roles with the local Council. Marsha was an active Band parent and Drama parent while her children were at Cedar Shoals High School. 

Marsha played neighborhood and duplicate bridge. She was one of the original players that started the Fred Tompkins Memorial Bridge Club over 30 years ago. She earned Life Master in 2000 with her mother (also a Life Master) as her partner at various tournaments. She was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and accumulated 752 points during her membership. She played at Fred’s Club until COVID hit. Another favorite activity was doing crossword puzzles, and she was known for her embroidery work, especially counted cross-stitch.

After retirement, Marsha and Chuck enjoyed many cruises. They cruised to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, Panama Canal, several Atlantic crossings, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the Queen Mary II. They travelled to Japan, toured the Western U.S. National Parks, and took a cross-country train ride thru the Canadian Rockies.

Marsha is survived by her son Mark, daughter Valerie, Mark’s children David (wife Kelsey and their son Jameson) and Amanda (husband Britt). She was preceded in death by her father John (1984), mother Isabell (2007), her husband of 57 years Charles (2015) and her daughter-in-law Robin (2022).

The family will receive friends and family at Lord & Stephens East on Lexington Road on Tuesday December 17 from 5pm to 7pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Girl Scouts of America or the University of Georgia. 

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. 

Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at lordandstephens.com