Kay Ann Fox Gruis

Kay Ann Fox Gruis, age 88, of South Ogden, Utah, passed away peacefully on the morning of April 7, 2026, at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, surrounded by her loving family.

Kay was born on September 16, 1937, in Des Moines, IA to Orville and Bernadene Fox. She was eventually joined by three siblings, Bradley, Karen and John. The kids grew up on the Fox family farm in Dallas Center, IA. Kay would often tell stories about the shenanigans she her brothers and sister would get into around the farm, much to their parents’ chagrin!

Kay attended school in the Dallas Center area, graduating from Dallas Center High School in 1955. While in high school, she played the alto saxophone, was in the chorus and Glee Club, and also played basketball. After high school, she attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, graduating with a BS Degree in Education. While in Cedar Falls, she met Willard Gruis, who would become her lifelong companion. They married in Dubuque, IA on November 17, 1959.

Shortly after they were married, Willard’s job took them to Southern California, where they welcomed daughter Cynthia Jane (Cindy) and son Brian Keith. In 1966, Willard was again transferred and the family moved to Ogden, Utah, where Kay would live for the remainder of her life. Soon after arriving in Utah, their son Steven Andrew was born.

Kay went back to teaching after her kids were all in school. She received her master’s degree from Weber State University in 1985. She taught third grade at Roosevelt Elementary in Washington Terrace for 25 years, retiring in 1997. Kay enjoyed serving others and helping wherever she was needed. She served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, and as Guardian for Bethel 14, Order of Job’s Daughters. Kay was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and belonged to PEO, first as a member of Chapter AA and then Chapter AN. Kay and Willard were also active in the Jaycees, where they had a ton of fun and met people who would become lifelong friends.

Kay loved to travel. She and Willard took trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico and various countries in Europe. One of Kay’s greatest regrets was that she never made it to the Panama Canal.

Kay was very creative. She loved doing any kind of craft and would sell her wares in craft fairs throughout Ogden. She was an avid seamstress and sewed her kids’ school clothes for several years (much to THEIR chagrin!). She eventually discovered quilting, which soon became a passion. There are probably very few people that know her that don’t own at least one quilt or table runner that she created. She belonged to several quilt groups, including the Ogden Quilt Guild, Peace by Piece and Kalico Kut Ups.

Kay was a member of Community United Methodist Church in Washington Terrace for almost 60 years. She dearly loved her church family, and served as a Sunday School teacher and in many leadership positions. She also played in the handbell choir and loved singing in the Chancel Choir.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Willard; daughter, Cindy (Derrick) LaPee; sons, Brian (Amy) Gruis and Steve (Rachael) Gruis; grandchildren, Jason and Jeremy Strebel, Caitlin (EJ Hinlo) Gruis, and Ethan Gruis (fiancé Maddie); and great-grandchildren, Luke, Mason, Hailey and Presley Strebel. She is also survived by her brothers, Bradley (Diane) Fox and John Fox; sister Karen Hasman; sisters-in-law, Delma Weikert and Kathy Gruis; several cousins and many nieces and nephews. Kay’s family was absolutely the light and pride of her life. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Bernadene, uncles and aunts, Don and Barbara Brandt and Arthur and Hazel Howard; and brother-in-law Melvin Hasman.

The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors and staff of McKay-Dee Hospital and

Inspiration Hospice for the wonderful, loving care they took of Kay and her family in her final days. They are truly angels on Earth.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 163 W. 4800 S., Washington Terrace. Friends may visit with family on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd and on Monday from 9:30 to 10:45 at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd.

Those attending the service are encouraged to wear something purple, as it was Kay’s favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Community United Methodist Church. Click Here to Donate or go to https://community-umc.net/give.

The service will be streamed live on YouTube. Click Here to watch or visit https://youtube.com/live/CPmHKKMvzZs?feature=share