Ellen Louise Gruben, 81, of Rotan, Texas, passed away Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, after a lengthy illness.

She was born on Aug. 1, 1936, to James Hedrick and Mary Ursula McShan Shelburne in the Bethel community near Ballinger, Texas. She graduated from Ballinger High School in 1954 and Shannon School of Nursing in San Angelo, Texas in 1957. Ellen earned her Registered Nurse’s license and served as Assistant Director of Nurses at Cogdell Memorial Hospital until she married Bobby Reent Gruben on Jan. 19, 1962. Although she retired at 25 years old from professional nursing, she maintained her Registered Nurse’s license until her death.

Her Christian faith, her family and service to others were at the heart of everything that was important to her. She was a long-time member of Cross Roads Baptist Church where she was actively involved in all aspects of church life from teaching children and youth in Sunday school and Girls in Action, playing the piano for worship and Sunday school, leading the Women’s Missionary Union, being a camp counselor and participating in mission trips locally as well as volunteering in Mexico, Alaska and South Dakota.

In her weakened state, she still continued to minister as a fervent prayer warrior with an extensive prayer list. She also remained as a supportive listener and encourager to all who knew her. Ellen was involved in her community as a member of the Calendar Club charity organization which raised funds for the West Texas Rehabilitation Center through its annual community talent show, the Daughter’s of the American Revolution organization, as a 4-H leader and a school room mother for her children’s classes. Although she never was employed as nurse after her marriage, she often used her training to care for her many friends and family members who were needing nursing assistance. Ellen loved hosting family get-togethers and having her home brimming with loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Billy Hedrick Shelburne and her grandson Nathan McShan Dodson.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bobby Gruben; her children, Laura (Jon) Dodson of LaGrange, Georgia, Tony (Elizabeth) Gruben of Uvalde, Texas, and Todd (Darla) Gruben of Cedar Park, Texas; her grandchildren Clay and Louise Dodson; Kate, Emma, Claire and Hope Gruben.

Donations in her memory may be sent to Cross Roads Baptist Church, Rotan, Texas; Baptist Temple Church, Uvalde, Texas; or Ronald McDonald House of Atlanta, Georgia.