Cynthia L. Gruhn

Cynthia "Cindy" Lynn Gruhn, 71, of O'Neill, died Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

A private family graveside service was held Jan. 15, 2024 at the Inman Cemetery in Inman. Pastor Bob Wynn officiated.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of the arrangements.

Cynthia was born July 17th, 1952, in Neligh to Walter and Joan (Calkins) Spangler. She was the second oldest of eight children. She grew up on her parent's farm southeast of Ewing and the family moved into Ewing when Cindy was a teenager. She graduated from Ewing High School in 1970.

She lived in Chambers and was raising four children when she met the love of her life. Garret and Cindy met while she was working at the Chambers Corner as everyone's favorite cook. They were married on April 27th, 1995.  The two raised four children Annie, Joy, Lindsay and Hoppy east of Chambers until 2004 when Garret, Cindy and Hoppy moved to Garret's family land near Inman.  Where Cindy had a large garden and raised chickens and even taught geese how to fly.  They adopted their son Carter on Nov. 8th, 2016.  

  Cindy loved to be outside, loved gardening and taking care of her chickens. She loved cooking for anyone who came over as well as teaching her kids and grandkids how to cook, can and even butcher and pluck chickens. Cindy made the best food anyone has ever eaten, ask anyone who has had her fried chicken, cheesecake, potato salad or plum jelly and they will tell you there is none better. No one was quite sure how she did it, even though many have watched her do it. Was it magic, a secret ingredient or just the love, effort and the way she prepared everything that made it so good! No matter what it was, her cooking, her advice, her love and her warmth will be missed forever more. 

  Cindy is survived by her husband Garret Gruhn; her six children Brandon (Tracy)Baker of O'Neill, Annie (Tony) Quintana of South Fork, CO, Joy Baker of O'Neill, Lindsay Baker of Sioux Falls, SD, Hoppy  (Hillary) Baker of Chambers and Carter Gruhn of O'Neill; her eight grandchildren Laurel Brunken, Halle Kreikemeier, Hannah Sidak, Kobe Roder, Kaden Roder, Calvin Quintana, Ruthie Quintana and Adeline Baker; one great-grandchild due in July; her two brothers Bill (Bobbi) Spangler of Allen and Raymond (Loretta) Spangler of Ewing; her five sisters Kathline (Larry) Jorgensen of Ewing,  Roxanne Bergman of Clearwater, Ruth (Monte) Willams of Ewing, Teena Francis  of Lincoln and Martha Grotelueschen of Dodge; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Walt (Joan) Spangler and her mother- and father-in-law Don (Erma) Gruhn, her infant brother David Spangler, her baby son Mikel and granddaughter Faith.