Merrill Gruber‘s Legacy Lives On Through $25,000 gift to postville Clinic
A important contribution from the estate of merrill Gruber will help fund the upgrade and expansion of the Postville Medical Clinic,part of Veterans Memorial Health Care. A $25,000 gift from Gruber’s charitable trust will directly support the $779,000 project, bringing improved healthcare facilities to the community.
Merrill Gruber, a respected northeast iowa farmer, operated a 300-head dairy farm and farmed crops across multiple counties. Friends and colleagues remember him as a hardworking, progressive, and determined individual known for his fairness and dedication. His attorney, Charles kelly, noted Gruber’s penchant for lively debate and collaborative problem-solving.
Prior to his unexpected passing in 2007 during surgery in La Crosse, Gruber established a charitable trust to benefit causes he cared about. Initially focused on Allamakee County, his vision expanded to allow any nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Iowa to apply for support. As then, the trust has funded diverse projects including the Iowa state University College of Veterinary Medicine, the mcgregor Arts Center, the Keokuk Union Depot Train Station, northeast Iowa trap shooting clubs, the Allamakee County Food Shelf, and local 4-H programs.
The Veterans Memorial health Care Foundation is honored to be a recipient of Gruber’s generosity. The funds will contribute to a much-needed expansion of the Postville Medical Clinic, currently located at 124 W. Greene Street. The new location, adjacent to the current clinic in the former Upper Explorerland Building, will add three exam rooms, bringing the total to five, along with a dedicated procedure room and a new lab area. The upgraded facility will also include handicap accessible bathrooms and a private, confidential area for behavioral health consultations.
The hospital has already secured $480,000 in funding for the project. A recent direct mailing campaign to residents in the Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics service area has raised over $80,000 towards a fundraising goal of $200,000.
Additional donations and grants are still needed to reach the remaining balance. Gifts can be made payable to the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation and mailed to 40 First St. SE, Waukon, IA 52172. For more information,please contact Beth Shafer,Growth and Development Coordinator at Veterans Memorial Hospital,at 563-568-3411.
