Thomas Frederick Gruse

Thomas Frederick Gruse, 81, passed away January 13, 2024. Tom was born on December 13, 1942 to Frederick and Beverly (Glass) Gruse. Sixty-one years ago, on January 7, 1963, Tom married the love of his life, Dianne Margaret Grockau. Together they raised four children, Christopher (Abby), David, Alan (Gina) and Machelle (Lonnie). Tom was born and raised in Detroit. He graduated from Denby High School, was employed by Rinke Pontiac, Gage Oldsmobile and drove cement trucks as a Local Union 247 member. Tom and Dianne spent summer vacations at the Grockau family cabin on Manistee Lake. They then built a home on the canal and moved their family to Kalkaska in 1978. After moving north to Kalkaska, Tom was employed at Voice Motor Sales until starting his own business, Manistee Lake Garage, in 1981 retiring in 2010. Tom joined the Coldsprings Excelsior Township Fire Department in 1979, serving his community as fire fighter, Assistant Chief, and retired as Chief in 2005. From 1991 to 2014, Tom was a safety crew member operating a wrecker for Miller Industries at Indy and Nascar races at Michigan International Speedway and various tracks. Tom was nominated by Garfield Township Police Chief, Jerry Cannon, for the American Towman order of Towman award. Tom was recognized and honored for his dedication to the towing industry and exceptional service to his community at the annual Towman Convention in 2010. Tom enjoyed his free time, camping and waxing the motorhome, Nascar, Wii bowling, spaghetti Sundays and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids and the “Pooch” Thea. Tom is survived by his wife, Dianne, children and grandchildren, Brett, Blake (Kendra), Robert, Landon, Mallory, Miranda, Alexis (aka Queenie), Alyson and Alivia, great-grand son’s Hayden and Oakland and many cousins. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Beverly, brothers Alan Robert and Raymond Charles, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arthur and Margaret Grockau. A funeral service will be held at Kalkaska Funeral Home on Sunday, January 21st, 2024, at 1:00 PM with Pastor Richard Van Beek officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM until the time of service with luncheon immediately following at the CETA hall on Co. Rd 612. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to CETA. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Thomas Frederick Gruse

December 13, 1942 - January 13, 2024