newspaper obituary

Pocahontas — Janette "Jan" F. Gruber, age 53, of Pocahontas, died Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital In Pocahontas.

Funeral services were 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Pocahontas High School Gym in Pocahontas, with the Rev. Rick Dee officiating. Graveside services were 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Fontanelle Cemetery near Fontanelle.

Survivors include husband Richard Gruber of Pocahontas; daughters Stacie (Matthew) Peter of Laurel, Maryland, Marcie (Scott) Steiner of Adams, Nebraska, Amy Gruber of Holstein, Jennifer Gruber of Sioux City and Nicole Gruber of Pocahontas; two grandhcildren, Taylor and Madeline Steiner; and sister Janelle (James) Fisher of Moville. Janette was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Jerry Ashmore.

Janette Francine Ashmore was born July 27, 1947, at Sioux City. She was the daughter of Glenn and Mabel (Lidman) Ashmore. In 1965, she graduated from Sioux City East High School, where she was captain of the drill team. On August 24, 1968, Janette married Richard Gruber at LeMars. Janette graduated from Westmar College in 1969 and the couple moved to Fenton. She taught at West Bend until 1917, when they moved to Pocahontas. She taught business and Spanish at Havelock-Plover, Gilmore City-Bradgate, Twin River Valley and was currently teaching at Laurens-Marathon Schools.

Janette was a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church, NEA and ISEA. She was a charter member of the Iowa State Drill Team Association. She was very active with the drill team, starting programs in every school that she taught and also starting the Trendsetters in Pocahontas. Janette was an enthusiastic and involved follower of her daughters and husband in their sports and extra activities.