Larry Gruber, 61, of Slinger, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Larry was born July 8, 1964, in Reedsburg to Alois and Cecelia (Howard) Gruber and grew up in Lime Ridge, where he developed the strong work ethic and deep sense of family that guided him throughout his life.

On September 27, 1991, he married Kelly Rooney. Together they built a life and family that meant everything to him.

Larry spent his entire 43-year career with Sysco, beginning at age 18 as a selector in Baraboo. As he advanced through numerous roles, he later transferred to Sysco Eastern Wisconsin in Jackson, where he proudly unloaded the first trailer to back into the warehouse when it opened. He later served in merchandising roles, most recently as an Inventory Planner on the Supply Chain Inventory Management team. In 2007, he was honored as a “Lifetime Hall of Fame Operations Member” and was recently recognized as a top-performing planner at Sysco Eastern Wisconsin, reflecting the dedication and pride he brought to his work each day.

Larry also cared deeply about community. He was involved with Growing Power in the Milwaukee area, helping support efforts to provide spaces where people in urban communities could grow their own food and build community gardens. Larry worked to help make land available for these efforts, reflecting his belief that everyone should have the opportunity to grow and access fresh food.

Larry was known for his humor and infectious laugh, often beginning conversations by playfully razzing the people he cared about. It was his way of connecting, and those who knew him came to appreciate the warmth behind it.

A lifelong lover of baseball and softball, Larry spent many summer nights on the field, sometimes playing nearly every night of the week.  He was not only a passionate player but also an advocate and mentor to others in the sport until injuries eventually forced him to step away. His love for the game never faded.

Larry loved cats, and his cats adored him completely—and often only him. Anyone who knew Larry knew that his feline companions ruled the house, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Larry will be remembered for his generous heart, his humor, and his deep love for his family.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly Gruber of Slinger; his sons, Jay Gruber of Slinger and Ryne Gruber and his fiancée, Satara, of Madison; sister, Theresa Douglas, her husband Brent, and their children Cole and Addison Douglas of Prairie du Sac; mother-in-law, Betty Rooney of Reedsburg; brother-in-law, Mark Rooney of Reedsburg, sister-in-law Teresa (Peter) Smet of Burlington; brother-in-law, Daniel (Cassa) Rooney of Vero Beach, FL; and many extended family members and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alois and Cecelia Gruber, brother, Tom Gruber, and father-in-law, Thomas Rooney. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 20 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, S8280 County Road G, Hill Point, WI 53937, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 am until 1:45 pm.

The family also plans to hold a Celebration of Life in the Slinger area at a later date. Details will be announced once finalized.

The Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg, is assisting the family.

Larry was taken from us far too soon and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.