Ernersteen Norris Gruber

Ernersteen Gruber of Brooksville, Florida, at the age of 87 went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 21st, 2016. She passed away at home, surrounded by her family and under the care of Hospice.

She was born to the late George Monroe & Jewell Beatrice (Helms) Norris of Dade City, FL on January 15, 1929.

Ernersteen started working at the age of 14 as a at a soda fountain and then went on to cashier at the local drugstore. After graduating high school, she began working as a secretary which would provide the necessary funds she needed to pursue her college degree and benefit her all throughout her years.

Her faith has been integral. Ernersteen had begun to seek God in her preteens yet it would not be until 1950 where the call of Christ on her life became most clear. While visiting in Atlanta, GA with her aunt, she was invited to attend one of the Billy Graham Crusades. The meetings were held over an extra week and she found herself going to the front and surrendering completely to the Lord. That decision that day impacted not only her but rippled in to many other's lives for the glory of Christ. In June of 1955, she graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. with her BA in religion. That same December, she boarded a plane to Peru to serve as an independent missionary. Ernersteen would meet her future husband there, start a family but that's another story. Her and her husband served in the jungles of Peru as missionaries for 33 years in different capacities including planting churches and ministering to indigenous tribes, directing a missionary group home as well as teaching and training pastors. However, one of their greatest passions and likely what Bob and Ernersteen were most remembered for involved starting up and operating a handicapped ministry that served to bring hope, healing and brighter futures to those who had been cast aside. This ministry opened the door for those disabled to be accepted and active in their local churches and communities.

After retiring from South America Mission, Ernersteen and Bob moved to St. Petersburg, FL for 3 years serving at Central Bible Church. Their last mission field brought them to Brooksville, FL in 1989. Bob would serve in many capacities while Ernersteen remained at home caring for her mother until she went on to glory.

She liked corresponding with and cooking for others but her favorite past time was reading.

Ernersteen was a part of both the Community Bible Church and Vineyard Christian Church in Brooksville, FL. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 41 years, Bob Gruber, sister, Helen Murphy, and brothers Edward and George, Jr. Norris. Ernersteen is lovingly survived by her Son Stephen P (Danine) Gruber Grandson, Tristan Bergman and Granddaughter, Brittany Whitney, all of Brooksville, FL. Her daughter, Sharon (Scott) MacLean, her Granddaughters; Karis and Luanna MacLean all of Milan, Italy, and also by her niece Janice (Bill) Annis of Ft. Pierce, FL. Ernersteen’ s family and friends will gather to Celebrate her life on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 12 noon at the Vineyard Christian Church, 375 S. Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34601. Pastor Hal Hester will officiate. A reception will follow the service at the church from 1-3 pm. Arrangements and cremation are entrusted to the Turner Funeral Homes, 14360 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, Florida, 34609. In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be made to either,

South America Mission 1021 Maxwell Mill Road, Suite B, Fort Mill, SC 29708, or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl. New York, N.Y. 10001.