Rodney Lee Gruver

Rodney Lee Gruver, 67, Topeka, died on Feb. 3, 2024.

Rodney was born on Aug. 2, 1956, in Garden City, the son of Robert Lee and Elva Lorene (Betzold) Gruver.

He graduated from Scott Community High School in 1974. Rodney earned an associate degree from Colby Community College in 1976, and graduated from Northwest Kansas Area Vo-Tech, Goodland, in 1978.

He was employed b y v a r ious te lephone companies in northeast Kansas for 44 years, retiring in March of 2020. Rodney was a member of the Communication Workers of America, serving as the secretary for this region.

Rodney enjoyed fishing, riding his mot o r c y c l e and camping. Rodney and Susan Hillery were married on Jan. 14, 1978, in Colby. She survives. Other survivors include his daughters, Hilaire Hawkins and husband, Lee, Olathe, and Sara Don Juan and husband, Philaberto, of Smithville, Mo.; two sisters, Tina Turley and husband, Roy, Modoc, and Salinda Baker and husband, Gerald, Marienthal; two stepbrothers, Steve and Joe Vredenburg; his stepmother, Connie; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

He has been cremated. A memorial ceremony will be held on Thurs., Feb. 29, 11:00 a.m., at the Mayetta Christian Church, 202 E. Jones Street, Mayetta, Ks.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 Southwest 21st Street, Topeka, Ks. 66604-3720, or the Mayetta Christian Church.