DeDe N. Gruber

DeDe Gruber, 56, of Greenwood, Indiana passed away Friday, November 12, 2021.She was born on Friday, January 29, 1965 to Tim Johnston and Roberta (McClure) Jackson in Fort Wayne, Indiana. DeDe came from a family where siblings and cousins also happened to her best friends. Her ability to stay in intimate contact with family was something to admire.

She and Keith Gruber married on the 7th day of knowing each other and, in Keith’s words, their love just kept growing stronger. She loved her children [Zach, Jared, and Sabrina] with every cell of her being. That love abounded with her grandchildren: Zach’s Gracelynn, Jared’s Jax and Sabrina’s beautiful Leelanee. Having as many of them together at once was Dede’s heaven.

To know DeDe was to love DeDe. And to know DeDe was to know love. Proof being Harold’s children calling up DeDe and Keith to come down and stay for a weekend. Every party or event that Jared and Erica’s friends had, the next question was ‘Are your parent’s coming?’ The fact that they refused to call Erica their ‘daughter-in-law’ it was ‘daughter-in-love’ and they were to her ‘in-loves’. Dede was so excited to hear, during her short period of wellness, that Zach had married (Rachel), and it would have surely been then same. People would swoon just watching DeDe and Keith….how Keith always expressed his love and adoration for DeDe, how they took care of each other, were always together and were fiercely loyal to each other’s wishes.

DeDe taught so many people about unconditional love… usually by action, no words needed. Her touch, her big-beautiful-blue-kind- empathetic eyes. Having the ‘perfect’ reaction to any story…completely validating your feelings….and non-intrusively guiding you towards forgiveness, perspective, spiritual alignment, and the power of ‘letting it go’.

DeDe was also fierce and not afraid to look the devil in the eye and say, ‘get out.’ Her resilience and intense love of her family lasted up to the very end. She did everything she could to stay on this Earth…. But God finally said, “DeDe, your work on Earth is done. I need you to come home. You will serve all you love better from beside me. I will help you care for them.”

I am sure that many of you who know DeDe battle with this idea of ‘she is in a better place’…because DeDe’s better place is with her kids, her family, and her grandchildren… but according her beliefs… though her body is not present, she gets to be with everyone now. So taking a note from her grandson Jax (2 and a half), when asked if he was sad, “No, I ree excited. I can talk-a her aw-da time.” (not to say, just as a toddler, we won’t have melt downs because we miss our DeDe). Another note from Jax, just randomly yell out, “Thank you DeDe” when you feel her or remember an amazing moment.

DeDe, your life, love, experiences, stories, touch, hugs will always be placed on the highest of Pedistools. Here is to the best friend, the best wife, the best mother, the best grandmother (best DeDe), best sister, best cousin, best family member....best mother-in-love…best woman…

DeDe Gruber… you will forever be idolized. You will forever be our matriarch. Your wisdom and love WILL be passed on and live forever.

Memorial visitation is Thursday, November 18, 2021 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Indiana Funeral Care, Greenwood Chapel.

Memorial service will begin at 6:00 pm