Merrill Gruber’s Legacy Lives On Through $25,000 Gift to Postville Clinic

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation recently received a generous $25,000 gift from the Merrill Gruber Trust to support the Postville Clinic upgrade and expansion project.

            Merrill operated a 300-head dairy farm and crop farmed many acres across several counties.  Charles Kelly, Merrill Gruber’s attorney and friend said, “Merrill was known throughout northeast Iowa as a hardworking, progressive, and determined farmer. Those who knew him remember a man who was loyal, fair, and deeply dedicated to his work. He treated people with respect and expected the same in return.”

            Merrill also enjoyed lively discussions—especially with his attorney. Charles commented, “We would often debate, challenge each other’s ideas, and ultimately find practical solutions together.”

            Prior to Merrill’s passing away suddenly during surgery in La Crosse in 2007, he had made arrangements to continue giving back to the communities he cared about by establishing a charitable trust to support worthy causes.

            At first, Merrill wanted his funds to remain in Allamakee County. But later, his vision grew—he decided that any nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Iowa could benefit from his generosity. Since then, his trust has supported a wide variety of projects across the state, including the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the McGregor Arts Center, the Keokuk Union Depot Train Station, trap shooting clubs in northeast Iowa, the Allamakee County Food Shelf, and local 4-H programs, to name a few.

            Merrill’s legacy of community support continues to make a difference. The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation is honored to receive this meaningful gift and grateful that Merrill’s spirit of generosity and community betterment will live on through the Postville Clinic project.

             The current Postville Medical Clinic is located at 124 W. Greene Street. The new location is right next door, to the west, in the former Upper Explorerland Building.  The new clinic will have an additional three exam rooms for a total of five, plus a new procedure room and lab area.  In addition, handicap accessible bathrooms will be available which are greatly missed in the current site.  There will also be a new behavioral health clinic area for private consultations in a more comfortable, confidential atmosphere.

            The hospital has funding for $480,000 of this total $779,000 project.  Nearly two months ago, a direct mailing was sent to all homes in the Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics service area with information about this fundraiser.  Over $80,000 has been raised by the Foundation with a goal of a total of $200,000. 

Additional donations and grants are still needed for the remaining balance of the new Postville Medical Clinic project.  Gifts can be made out to:  Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation and mailed to 40 First St. SE, Waukon, IA  52172. 

For more information, please call Beth Shafer, Growth and Development Coordinator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.