Cheryl Kaye Gruner
Cheryl Gruner loved being an educator and as a military spouse helped her husband, Skip, raise a loving family. She will be truly missed by her family and community.
Cheryl Kaye Gruner has passed at the age of 80. Born on July 18, 1944, in Yakima, Wash., Cheryl was the daughter of Roland and Luella Eastham.
She grew up in Central Washington and graduated from Ephrata High School in 1962. With a passion for learning and a heart for teaching, she attended Washington State University and then Montana State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in education.
After graduating from MSU, she married Marvin (Skip) Gregoire in 1966. Cheryl and Skip had two children, Richard and Yvonne. Both kids were born while the couple travelled the states following Skip's Army career. Richard was born at Fort Sill, Okla., in 1967 and Yvonne was born in 1972 at Fort Rucker, Ala. The family moved back to Ephrata in the mid '70s.
Cheryl dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds as an educator. Over the years, she taught students from elementary through high school across Washington state and Kansas. Her commitment to education left a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues throughout her career, which spanned nearly 50 years. She started teaching high school English in Quincy, Wash., in 1968, and taught into her 70s, subbing in Moses Lake, Wash.
Beyond the classroom, Cheryl found joy in simple pleasures. She loved shopping, baking and playing piano. There was a special place in her heart for her beloved pets, Mocha and Precious. Her home was always filled with her favorite pictures of the grandkids and great-grandchildren.
Cheryl was a devoted family member and is remembered lovingly by her brother, Richard Eastham; her sister, Theresa McCallum; her son, Richard Gregoire, and daughter-in-law Erica Gregoire; her daughter, Yvonne McMackin, and son-in-law Dru McMackin; and her cherished grandchildren, Emily, Lana, Canon, Jolie and Amelie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Luella Eastham, and by her husband, Steve Gruner.
Cheryl lived a full life as a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, wife, friend and educator. Her memory will continue to bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.
Services will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 416 E. Nelson Road in Moses Lake, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Martin's Episcopal Church.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/CKGRUNER.
Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.