Dolores Jean Gruzensky

Dolores Gruzensky ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt Cremations & Funeral Services on Mar. 16, 2026.Dolores Jean Parmele GruzenskyOctober 16, 1927 – February 14, 2026Dolores Gruzensky passed away February 14, 2026, in Walla Walla, Washington, at age 98. Dolores was born October 16, 1927, in Portland, Oregon, to Dorinda Brooks Scott Parmele and Gilbert H. Parmelle. She was the youngest of seven children. Early in her life her father left the family, leaving her mother to raise the seven children. Dolores always looked to her oldest brother, 15 years older than she and also named Gilbert, as a father figure in her life. Through the generosity of her brother James, Dolores attended Portland Union Academy, now Portland Adventist Academy. Following graduation, Dolores attended Walla Walla College, now Walla Walla University, majoring in Home Economics. While attending Walla Walla College, Dolores met Paul Gruzensky. They were married on June 20, 1948. They remained married for 77 years until Paul passed away in August 2025.Initially, Paul and Dolores lived in Corvallis, Oregon. In 1960, they moved to Boulder, Colorado where they stayed for 39 years. Finally, in 1999, they moved to Walla Walla where they had a number of friends from college days.Dolores and Paul had four children. For much of her life Dolores stayed at home raising the children. She was a seamstress, making many clothes for the family and occasionally doing sewing for other people. She had a heart for those who could not afford much and on occasion made choir dresses and other clothes for no payment. She studied for and obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant license when the children were young and worked for a short time as a CAN and also in janitorial services at the nearby hospital. After the children were mostly grown, Dolores attended Front Range Community College obtaining a certificate in Early Childhood Education. She then worked in the preschool at Boulder Junior Academy. In retirement, Dolores raised garden produce and beautiful tomatoes. She always had an abundance to share with others.Dolores is survived by her four children, Aletha Gruzensky, William Gruzensky, Carol Cook and Michael Gruzensky; her seven granddaughters, Heidi, Michaela, Beth, Andrea, Andrea, Angela, Debbie and Jenny; and her thirteen great-grandchildren, Jesse, Alana, Audrey, Michael, Lucy, Lincoln, Oliver, Jaxon, Cooper, Kimber, Brielle, Cayde and Jayce. Also surviving are nieces and nephews Louise, Barbara, Scott Parmele, Ralph, Beverly, Jerry, Joanne, Luanne, Bruce, Ken, Raelene, Willis, JoAline, Ron, Janean and David.Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul, siblings Gilbert, Dorothy, James, Marietta, Marshall and Donald; her nephews and nieces Mary Jean, Scott Reed, Donna, Daniel, Terry, Karen, Jim and Sally.A Celebration of Life will be held on March 28, 2026, at 3 p.m. at the College Place Seventh-day Adventist Church on the corner of Larch and 12th. Memorial donations will go toward a bench on the Walla Walla University campus honoring both Paul and Dolores's commitment to education. Donations may also be sent to the Salvation Army or to the International Children's Care because no child should go hungry.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.