Grace Lucille Black
Just after 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, our lives, which were usually filled with boisterous laughter, jokes and love, were instead replaced with tears, heartbreak and incredible sadness, when Grace Lucille Black left this world.
Born Oct. 26, 1957, to Victor and Helen (Ellis) Zaruba, in Chippewa Falls, Grace was the beloved granddaughter of Jack and Mildred Ellis, and Louis and Gertrude Zaruba. She was the third of seven children and was raised in Cornell.
She married her soulmate, Jerry, March 29, 1997, and they blended their families together as one.
To say Grace was a fighter, would be an understatement. She had beaten the odds more times than most could ever imagine. Just over two years ago, we almost lost her to a brain tumor and we were blessed to have been granted these last two years with her.
Grace marched to the beat of her own drum, and stood strong and firm for what she believed in. She loved to laugh and when you walked into a room, you could instantly pick out her laugh from the largest of crowds and say, “Yep, Gracie’s here.”
She was an expert shopper, and loved to give and do for others. Though she may have been known for her signature late arrivals, she was the person so many relied on. She was the one who would always be there, no questions asked.
She was known as the wild and fun aunt, and adored all her nieces and nephews. She loved spending time with her entire family, especially the special times she shared with her little sister, Jennifer. Grace’s greatest joy was her 16 grandchildren.
She seemed to be born to be a grandma; she was always over the top and having grandkids truly completed her. She was the grandma who loved adventure and story time; she gave the best “tubbies,” always had the GREATEST snacks in her house and if she bought a new toy, you would find her down on the floor, playing with the kids. Grace spoiled each of them and made them feel like they were her absolute favorite.
It was a dream come true for her and Jerry, when they moved to a lake a few years ago. Watching the kids swim, fish, tube and have marshmallows around the fire, brought her such peace and happiness.
She is survived by her forever-loving husband – Jerry; her naturally born children, son – Jody Gindt and wife Jennifer, and daughter – Holly Cole; her blended family – Christie Black, Shannon Schlough and husband, Jim, Michael Black and Nicole Black; grandchildren – Zach, Tyler, Kip, Haley, Kloey, Keegan, Jackson, Taylor, Jameson, Edem, Shyloh, Zaynab, Miley, Liberty, Drake and Hazel; and most recently, her first great-granddaughter – Natalia; her sisters – Kathy Brown and Jennifer, and husband, Don Evich; her brother – Thomas Zaruba; brothers-in-law – Wally (Tammy) Black and Randy Black; sisters-in-law – Laurie (Pat) Krueger and Norma (Antonio) Johnson; her goddaughter – Amanda Prill; and many other very special nieces; nephews; cousins; relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; brothers Kenny, Ginger and Harold; her in-laws – Lloyd and Janet Black; and brothers-in-law – Tom and Ricky Lee Black.
While all people die, not all people live and Grace lived. She lived a life full of twists and turns, love, heartache, joy, hurt, adventure, and one filled with kids and laughter. Most importantly, she lived life her way.
Services will be held at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, at Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, with visitation at 3 p.m., Saturday, until the time of the service.
The family would like to thank the Cornell Rescue Service, the emergency room and third-floor staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, for their care and compassion.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome. com. Borton-Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Cornell, is assisting the family.
