Eleanor Gruen

Eleanor (Ellie) Lee Gruen, 83, of San Juan Capistrano, CA passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020.

Ellie was born on a farm in Sycamore Kansas in 1937 to Don and Lavona Troutman. She was raised on farms around Kansas until she moved, along with her sisters, Evelyn Stubblefield (Troutman) and Sylvia Phillips (Troutman) to Wichita where she attended high school.

She was in nursing school when she met her future husband. Seven days later they were engaged and married within the year. They celebrated 43 years of marriage before Richard went home to the Lord. They were both called into the ministry, after seminary they moved to CA to serve at Crescent Ave. Baptist Church.

In 1969 they moved to Dana Point, CA to serve at Capistrano Valley Baptist Church. They eventually attended Heritage Christian Fellowship where Ellie served as a vital member for more than 25 years.

Ellie had a lifelong passion for Christ. Throughout her life serving the Lord was her prime focus demonstrated through her seemingly endless generosity and commitment to caring for the needs of others. Everyone has been touched by Ellie, she was a mother, friend, sister counselor.  Whenever anyone needed anything, they knew to call Ellie. She was a devoted student and teacher of scripture participating in as well as leading Bible study groups of all ages her entire life. In later life she crocheted hundreds of blankets for all the babies in the church, family and friends.

Ellie is survived by her sister, Sylvia Phillips (Troutman), Daughters Nancy Leah Girard (Brad), Joy Lynne Hartley (Miles), son Richard Gruen Jr (Jean), Grandchildren Andrew Girard (Meghan), Douglas Myers, Tracy Long (James), Gregory Myers and Joy Girard.

Details regarding services celebrating Ellie's life, are forthcoming.