Aida Loiz

April 7, 2019

Remembering Mary’s sweet spirit and her love and care for the brothers and sisters in the church and especially for the children. I learned so much from her care. May the Lord grant brother Gene and every family member much grace in the loss of our sweet Mary. Mike and I send our love, prayers and condolences.
Aida

Patti Roach

April 7, 2019

Dear Gruhler family, I am so sorry not to be able to make it to the memorial for Mary. But I would like to pass on my precious memory of her, as you all gather to remember her.

I served with mary on children's meeting shortly after she moved to Anaheim, during a time when the children's meeting was stubling and had no real sense of direction. Mary told me, later on, that she had gone to Gene quite frustrated as to how she could help, since the need was so overwhelming. Her "dear husband" told her to begin with one person at a time, perfect them, and then go on to another.

I was blessed to be one of the sisters she picked up! Thanks to her care for me, and my observing her genuine burden for the children, I was changed. I gradually began to pick up the same burden. After 40 years of serving with children, I can honestly say I owe so much to the Lord for sending Mary my way.

I know whe will be missed by you all! Thank you for sharing her with the Body all these years!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim. 4:7

Kathy Himebaugh

April 11, 2019

Mary was my dear friend, my mentor, and a pattern for me.

As my friend, she took care of me when I first met her in Anaheim. I was living there for a short time, and she made sure to introduce me to other sisters. She also encouraged those sisters to take care of me too. It has been an honor for me to be able to help care for her these last few years.

As a mentor, she displayed the fine humanity of the Lord Jesus in her care for the children. She encouraged me to persevere in my service whenever I felt like I wasn’t qualified (which was quite often). Her love for the children, and her finely detailed care in everything she did for them, came from her deep relationship with the Lord.

My most lasting impression of dear Mary was the pattern she set. When she and Gene moved to Denver in 1984, the church here had gone through some difficult times. I remember spending time with another sister (she later left the recovery) who just wanted to talk about all the problems. I would come home in tears and very depressed. But when I spent time with Mary, I would come home full of life! A huge light came on in me! This was because I was spending time with a sister who always focused on turning to the Spirit, exercising our spirits in the Word together, and praying in a positive way for the Lord’s move on the earth. She never gossiped, and never questioned the brothers’ leading. This was the pattern for wherever she served — in Children’s Meeting, in the Sisters’ Meeting, and in all our ordinary church life activities. I treasure this pattern, and by the Lord’s mercy and grace, I hope to carry on with Mary’s legacy of loving and following Christ and the church with her whole heart.

Daniel Loiz

April 7, 2019

When I first visited the Church in Denver, I was expecting to meet Gene and Mary. As I pulled into the parking lot, there were many saints walking in, but there was a woman standing by the doors who looked to me like "home". I don't know if it was Christ I recognized about her, or if I remembered her taking care of me when I was only a year old. When I approached her, she knew who I was as well, and I was 6ft tall with a beard. Mary was kind, sweet, welcoming, caring, and wonderful. I have already missed her since I haven't seen her in a while, and I know those who were with her recently will miss her greatly as well. Prayers go to all of you. It's difficult sometimes, to say we rejoice in these bittersweet passings because we have faith in the Lord, and know that our loved ones have crossed into closer fellowship with the Lord and into the peace that comes from His comfort. We hurt, but we rejoice. Mary will be missed. Until we meet again, Amen.

Rebecca Holly

April 8, 2019

Yesterday I remembered Mary as I was telling my daughter that now she is being cared for by her husband, Brother Gene.
Dear Mary. The one who shepherded me by her life, not by so many words. She looked out for the saints. She cared for us with lovingkindness, just like Christ. And she loved God, loved His word, And loved His purpose.
Grace, mercy and peace be with Bro. Gene and all the family.

Tony Barba for the Bibles for America staff

April 10, 2019

Although grieved to hear of our dear sister Mary's passing, we are heartened to know that she was faithful to the Lord and His purpose to the end. We remember well her warm, loving heart and her steadfastness in and for the Body of Christ. She will be missed by all who were blessed to know her and serve with her. May the Lord supply the Gruhler family with comfort, hope, and peace in the months and years to come. In His love, The Bibles for America family

Joe Chang

April 14, 2019

I first got to know Gene & Mary in the early '60's, when they would have my brother, Stephen, and me over to their home, first in Woodbury and then in Bellerose Village, NY, and later in Anaheim, CA and Denver. But my greatest memory of Mary was when I got invited to a Children's Meeting Workshop in Anaheim, twenty some years ago. She and her daughter Esther brought me to a higher level in caring for the children in my nearby church. As Mary spoke, my sense was that this sister in the Lord was one with Him to care for the children of the church. Her love for the children shined through all the practical help she gave us. Children's meeting did not seem like a project to her, but a real labor of love in and to the Lord. Christ was magnified to me through dear sister Mary.
Much grace to you brother Gene and to all your family. May the Lord as the Comforter be with you all to uphold and supply you.

Rick & Barb Coleman

April 12, 2019

Thank you Lord for Mary's wonderful and godly testimony.

Rebecca Kan

April 10, 2019

I had the privilege of living with the Gruhlers in both 1992 and 1993. I have so many sweet memories of our dear sister Mary. She was truly a "worthy woman". As Proverbs 31:10, 20 say: "Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above jewels....She stretches out her hand to the afflicted, and she reaches out her hands to the needy". Mary poured herself out for Christ and the church. I am so thankful for her love and care. She was a faithful pattern of a "worthy woman".