Jean Marie Gruber, 55, passed unexpectedly, yet peacefully, February 14, 2015 in her home. Born February 17, 1959 in Helena, MT to Hank and Dorothy Burgess, she was the eldest of 8 kids. They were a close-knit, large, rambunctious family, full of much love and laughter. She was born and raised in Helena, graduating from Capital High School in 1977 where she was the life of the party and had a close group of both guy and girlfriends.
Jean married her love and best friend, Dan, July 15, 1978, in a beautiful ceremony at the Cathedral in Helena. From there she took on her hardest yet most rewarding roles as wife and mother. She and Dan raised their three kids Pat, Jennie, and Maura at their family home in East Helena. She was actively involved in the education and activities of all her extended family and especially her children, attending all events with a big, beaming smile of pride. She enjoyed volunteering with the schools for field trips, taught Religious Education at her local parish, and would open her home and heart to the neighborhood kids and anyone in need.
Jean had a passion for politics and current events, was a voracious reader, enjoyed cooking off the cuff, was incredibly proud of her Irish and Catholic heritage and was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt (in which she had a special bond with each and every one), wife, mother and, eventually, grandmother. Jean was a charter member and the first President of the local chapter of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. Her generosity, kindness, sense of humor, cheesy Friday funnies, wealth of useless trivia and plentiful phone calls were enjoyed by many and will be dearly missed.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Hank and Dorothy. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Dan, her children, Pat (Abby), Jennie (Jason), Maura (Garth) Fleetwood, grandchildren Charlie and Jack Gruber, Linden Gruber, Declan, Aidan, and Erin Hardy, Tyler and Nick Fleetwood. 7 siblings Theresa (Mike) King, Kathleen (Dirk) Beccari, Mary Kay (Jon) Puckett, Judy (Mark) Schilling, Margie (Tim) Dugan, Tom Burgess, Sarah Volesky, parents-in-law, Frank and Bonnie Gruber, brother- and sister-in-laws, Bev (Dan) Radley, Vicki Gruber, David (Shea), Chris, Paul (Darlene), Joe (Cindi), Steve (Alpha), numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, large extended family, and her dog, Atticus.
Vigil services will be Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at SS Cyril and Methodius in East Helena. The funeral Mass will be Friday, February 20, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at SS Cyril and Methodius. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or Catholic Charities.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jean.
Service Schedule
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Thursday February 19, 2015
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Friday February 20, 2015
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
After the Mass
Friday February 20, 2015
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Reception
Friday February 20, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Thursday February 19, 2015
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Friday February 20, 2015
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
After the Mass
Friday February 20, 2015
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Reception
Friday February 20, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Cami says
Dan, Maura, Pat, & Jenny,
Keeping you all in prayers.
Jeff and Shelly says
So sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Melba Berg says
To Dan and family you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Wife and Mother Jean.
Margaret Woo says
Dan,
This comes as a huge shock to me. Seeing you the other day and hearing about your family made me think about how much time flies. My heart truly goes out to you. I hope you will find some solace in your great and extended family and many friends you and Jean made along the way.
With deepest sympathy,
Margaret
Kathie Roos says
Prayers to all…
Kim Kanta Fink says
You are all in our thoughts and prayers, so very sorry. From Tom Kanta and Kim Kanta Fink
Jane Egan says
Dan,
My heart goes out to you and your family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Jane
Dave and Karen Murray says
Dan Gruber family and the Burgess family,
We are sorry to hear of your great loss. Jeannie was always a very kind and genuine soul.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Cathy (Niland) Shackelford says
My dear cousins….my heart breaks for you. I know all too well the pain of losing a sibling. I pray that you can have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding and it will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.
LynAnn Vogele Henderson says
Mary Kay and the Gruber-Burgess Family:
We are so sorry for your loss! We’ll have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
LynAnn and all of your friends at EBMS
John Curry says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family in your time of sorrow. We’ve lost another of the best.
maren kirkland says
So sorry for your family’s loss Maura. I hope you can find comfort in your memories and the ones who share them with you.
Tara Popp says
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Ms. Gruber. God’s blessing and many prayers go out to the family and friends.
Michelle Van Nice says
Dan and family,
So sorry to hear about Jean. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Bruce & Rhonda Robertson says
Dear Dan & Family,
We were saddened to hear of Jean’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the many days to come.
Debbie (Card) Morrison says
Dan and family:
I’m so sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. My heart breaks for all of you. Her vivaciousness and incredible smile will forever be in my memories of her. I pray that you will be able to find some comfort in knowing that she touched so many lives and loved you all so deeply. May God be with you and your family through this very sad time.
Josh Chisholm says
We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jean. Our thoughts and prayers to Dan and his family and to all the Burgess Clan. Many Blessings…..
Love,
The Chisholm Clan
Cindy Taylor says
Jennie, I am so very sorry for you loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad and difficult time. I wish I could be there to give you a hug and I wish you comfort iin time with the wonderful memories you will have of your dear Mother. Love, Cindy
Bobbie Gardner says
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Jean. You are all in my thoughts and prayers!!
Donna Mix says
To the Gruber and Burgess families:
I didn’t know the grown-up Jean, but seeing her obituary saddens me and takes me back many years. My husband and I were neighbors to Frank and Bonnie Gruber and, a few years later, to Hank and Dorothy Burgess when Dan and Jean and my children were young. May my prayers, joining those of so many others, help comfort you all through this time of deep grief.
Missy Glenn ( Harper ) says
Dear Dan and family ,
Words can’t begin to express how sorry I am for your loss . I have know Jean since we were in high
School. She was one great lady and friend . The thing I loved best about Jean was her sense of humor . She was so fun to be around . I know she will be missed by all that knew her.
Take care , Missy
John and Vicki Sandford says
Dear Dan and Family,
We’re so sorry about your loss. I think of Jean other times, but every year at Folk Festival time. I remember how hot it was that year you and Jennie and Jason came, and how you said it would have been very hot for Jean. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gay Ann Masolo says
Dan, Jennie, Pat and Maura,
So sorry about your loss of wife and mother. She was always one of my favorite parents when I had you kids in school. My prayers are with all of you.
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
To Jean’s family – So sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. She will be greatly missed. God bless you during this time of loss. Jean will now be with Mom & Dad. What a great reunion that will be. God’s Blessing to the family. Matt & Mary Kunnary