Timothy Lee Gruen
April 5, 1944 ~ June 2, 2024
T. Lee Gruen, 80 years old, of Abilene, Kansas was born April 5, 1944; the second oldest son to Timothy and Lola Mae Gruen. He died on June 2, 2024 surrounded by family.
T. Lee grew up on the family farm, south of Abilene, with his parents and four siblings. His parents instilled a love for the Lord early in life. He attended Abilene schools where he met his future wife, Libby Wade, in middle school. In high school, they became sweethearts. They were married on August 21, 1965.
T. Lee earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from K.U. in 1967. He then went on to the University of Iowa and received his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry in 1971. That is where he and Libby started their family, having three triplet sons that did not survive. He began his career by teaching College Chemistry at Missouri Western before welcoming their sons Tim and Ethan.
They moved back to Abilene in 1976, where he farmed the family land for most of his adult life. Feeling that their family was not yet complete, they added a little girl, Heather. At this time, T. Lee decided to use his degree to work as a local pharmacist. He was a devoted husband and father. Libby has always been his first love, and when she passed away on February 24, 1990, the family was forever changed. Later in life T. Lee found love again, marrying his wife Sherry on January 11, 2009. They enjoyed many cruises and retired life together.
In T. Lee’s adult life, he found joy in physical activities. He competed in two full marathons, the Chicago and New York. He also participated in over 35 half marathons, and countless 5ks, often running them with his son, Ethan. He started biking to spend time with his son Tim, and discovered the Biking Across Kansas adventure. He participated in seven BAKs, doing four of them with Tim and his children, earning four century badges. He went on many biking adventures with his close friends. He shared his love of travel with Heather, and together they toured the country.
If you spent much time with T. Lee you would find his real passion was mission work. He wanted everyone to hear about God’s saving grace through his Son, Jesus. He was on Community Bible’s mission board, and also on the board of the Pregnancy Service Center. He was a faithful member of the Community Bible Church in Abilene, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his wife Libby Gruen, infant sons Adam, Abram, & Aaron, parents Timothy & Lola Mae Gruen, and his brothers Everett Gruen, Ronald Gruen, and Donny Gruen.
He is survived by his wife Sherry of the home, his sister Donna and Wiley Edmonds of Louisville, Texas, son Timothy and Lamonica Gruen of Edmond, Oklahoma, son Ethan and Amy Gruen of Abilene, daughter Heather Stolzenburg of Abilene, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A private burial service will be held on July 13, 2024 at the Newbern Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:30 AM at Community Bible Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Bible Church for the support of missions or the Pregnancy Service Center of Salina.
READ MORE: Salina Juneteenth celebrations this week