Virgil Gruhn Obituary

Virgil Gruhn

September 18, 1944 - June 6, 2025

Virgil Gruhn, 80, of Ravenna, NE, passed away on June 06, 2025.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ravenna. Pastor Russell Bonine will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna. Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Rasmussen Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Virgil was born on September 18, 1944, to Bert and Ella (Ohlmann) Gruhn in Shelton, NE. In 1985, Virgil met the love of his life, Sharon Behnke, and they wed July 5.1986. Virgil and Sharon spent the next 35 years together until Sharon passed on July 1, 2021. They lived in Omaha, NE, for a bit and then managed motels in Laramie, WY, Ogallala, Crete, and finally in Chadron. They moved to Ravenna in 2001 and making it their home for the next 20 years. Virgil retired as the Director of the Buffalo County Housing Authority in Ravenna in 2023 and spent his remaining time doing what he loved, watching NASCAR races, singing, and being with his friends and family.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Bert (Ella) Gruhn; wife, Sharon Gruhn; and sisters, Florence Natzke, LaVonne Boettcher, Lois Gruhn; and brother, Roger Gruhn.

Virgil is survived by his three sons, Sean Gruhn of Omaha, Seth (Wendy) Gruhn of Owasso, OK, and Dana Gruhn of Monroeville, AL; stepdaughter, Tina (Chris) Jones of Wahoo, NE, and Bob Behnke of Omaha; grandchildren, Virgil is blessed with Kalee, (Bradley) Benedict of Claremore, OK, Seth Gruhn, Jr., and Colt Gruhn of Owasso, OK, Kenneth Gruhn of Monroeville, AL, Elizabeth (Brian) Vasquez of Grand Island, NE, Courtney (Nathan) Matlock, Marcus Jones, and Kylee Jones, all of Lincoln, NE.