Mildred (Millie) Gertrude (Miholovic) Gruhn passed away on Tuesday, August 3rd in Niceville, Florida. She was born on January 9, 1924, in Cleveland, OH to Mike and Gertrude Miholovic. She is now with them in Heaven along with her husband Ben, her sister Anna and numerous close friends and family members.
Millie grew up in Cleveland and lived in the city for most of her life. An original career woman, she ran the office at Stadler Fertilizer after graduation from high school. She was an active volunteer and life-long member of the social sorority Beta Sigma Phi and Church Women United in Cleveland. Enjoying life to the fullest, she lived the bachelorette’s life well into her late thirties when she met the love of her life, Bernard (Ben) Gruhn at an ice skating rink and then married him in May of 1962. Soon after, they moved to Parma where they lived for over 40 years.
For the next few decades, Millie spent her time supporting Catholic education by volunteering at St Bridget of Kildare in Parma, OH where she helped in the library and was a Girl Scout Leader. In her spare time, Millie found time to spend with friends. She especially enjoyed reading music to her close friend Margaret, who had lost her sight and was a beautiful musician. She also loved hosting dinner parties for the Married Couples (a group that also included some single friends) and playing cards. She was always willing to spend with friends and family between her Tuesday night bridge club and other activities. Millie’s favorite thing was hearing about the antics of her daughter and her friends from the time they were in high school through college. She was much loved by Anne Therese’s friends Rita, Sally, Patty, Milka, Nancy, Tana, Aimee, Laura, and Kristin.
Millie and Ben’s pride and joy, Anne Therese, brought three life-changing people into Millie and Ben’s lives: Steve (son-in-law), Jake (grandson), and Josh (grandson). Millie and Ben traveled the world visiting their daughter’s family while they were stationed at various Air Force bases. After Ben retired as an Optician and Millie gave up the volunteer life, they moved to Niceville to be closer to their family.
She is survived by her daughter Anne Loken and husband Steve of Destin; her youngest grandson Joshua; her oldest grandson Jacob and wife Brianna, and their son, her most-loved great-grandson, Bennie. In her later years, one thing that brought her great joy was to Facetime with her grandsons, her beautiful granddaughter-in-law Bree and great-grandson Bennie.
A private graveside service will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11:00 am at Barrancas National Cemetery Annex, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Twin Cities Pavilion, especially Amanda, Shawna, and Jackie for the years of great joy and caring for both Millie and Ben.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to one of the following:
Twin Cities Pavilion
1053 E John Sims Pkwy
Niceville, FL 32578
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Attn: Anton J. and Adele T. Eichmuller Endowment Scholarship Fund
1 St Mary of the Woods Coll
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN 47876
Saint Mary Catholic School
110 Robinwood Dr. SW
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
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