Mildred "Millie" Alice Gruetzner, née Bethke, fell asleep in Jesus and entered eternal life with God in heaven on October 4, 2020. She was born in Riesel, Texas, on April 8, 1932, to Theodore and Hattie Kelm Bethke. She was reborn into God's kingdom through Holy Baptism on May 1, 1932. She confirmed her Christian faith March 25, 1945, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, McAllen, Texas.

Millie was joined in Holy Matrimony to the love of her life James M. "Jim" Gruetzner on June 13, 1954, in Raymondville, Texas. She was a faithful wife who followed her pastor husband over the years to congregations in Kansas, Nevada, Texas, and Michigan.

Millie graduated from Brackenridge Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. She worked more than 50 years as a registered nurse, including at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, Beaumont Hospital Troy and the Center for Digestive Health in Troy.

Millie was involved with music her whole life: she sang in choirs, played piano, and directed a children's choir. She was involved with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) for many years. She also loved to sew, and was a generous, giving person who would lend an ear to anyone that needed it. She was a loving mom and adored her grandchildren.

Millie and Jim spent over 30 years at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Washington, Michigan. After retirement from Our Redeemer, Jim and Millie became active at Historic Trinity Church in downtown Detroit, where JIm is an Assisting Pastor.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents Ted & Hattie Kelm Bethke, father- and mother-in-law Otto & Andanilla "Nella" Balke Gruetzner, brothers- and sisters-in-law Gordon Wendling, Faye Gruetzner, Robert & Jeanette Gruetzner, and August "Uce" & Geraldine "Jeri" Gruetzner.

Millie is survived by Jim, her husband of 66 years, and by four children and their spouses: James & Kelly Gruetzner, Jan & Alex Galton, J. Karl & Rose (Bonacci) Gruetzner, and Joani & Mark Laginess. She is survived by eleven beloved grandchildren: Jenna Laws and husband Ben, Katherine Michaels-Johnson and husband Timothy, Jacob Laginess and wife Holly, Rachel Gruetzner, Michael Gruetzner, Jillian Gruetzner, Matt Chiappetta and wife Jen, Andrew Laginess and wife Elaine, Alexandra "Sasha" Alberti and husband Anthony, Karlee Gruetzner, and Joelle Laginess. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Samuel, Lucy, Ellie, Annie and Solomon Laginess, Rex and Jamie Michaels-Johnson, Maddie Chiappetta, Ellie Laws, and Anastasia Alberti. She is survived by both her sisters, Jeannie Kluck and husband Herb, and Ruth Wendling, her brother-in-law Otto "Sonny" Gruetzner, Jr., her sister-in-law Ann Teinert and husband Willard Teinert, and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Though we mourn Millie's death, we take comfort that she rests in the loving arms of our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

Visitation: Sunday, October 11, 4:00 - 8:00 PM, Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 33603 Grand River Avenue(One Block West of Farmington Road), Farmington, Michigan.

Funeral: Monday, October 12, at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Michigan, with visitation at 10:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately following. All are welcome. The 11:00 funeral service may also be viewed via the church's youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/historictrinity

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift directed to Historic Trinity Church in Detroit, MIchigan, or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Washington, Michigan.

Sunday, October 11, 2020

4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

33603 Grand River Avenue
Farmington, Michigan 48335

Directions Funeral Service Histroic Trinity Lutheran Church

Monday, October 12, 2020

11:00 AM

1345 Gratiot Ave
Detroit, Michigan 48207

Directions