Karl Joseph Gruber

Karl Joseph Gruber

Karl Gruber, loving husband, “Papa,” “Opa,” brother and uncle passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Karl was born in Austria to Joseph and Franziska Gruber and is survived by his sister Erna.

The lure of adventure and hunting brought Karl to Canada in 1965. He worked for his sponsor, Canadian Forest Products in Vancouver, B.C. moving on to home construction in Prince George where he met and married Jenny Jakumeit. The two of them were inseparable.

They worked together building homes and had two children, Karl and Tonya. They went on to build and run the Bavarian Inn in Kamloops, where Karl made use of his natural cooking talent. The Lure drew them further north to the Yukon, operating a gravel crusher, along the Alaska, and North Klondike Highways where flakes of gold found coming off the end of the crusher changed their focus. They were involved in staking and exploring many mining properties. One of the largest nuggets found in the last 100 years came from their placer claim on Squaw Creek, B.C. They continued with other businesses, co-owning and running the Airline Inn, developing the cabin community that became known as “GruberVille,” building and running the Takhini Gas Station, and developing the Green Acres farm that became their home.

It would bring smile to some of us or cringes to others remembering all the equipment, gadgets, and tools he would accumulate along the way, and the crazy choices of clothes and hats he would wear!

Karl loved to share stories of his childhood in Austria. There are so many amazing tales from his experiences and most of which were hilarious as he was a very mischievous young boy. We will continue to share these stories with pride, humor, and smiles, and at the same time miss the loud hardy laugh that came with each story!

Karl was a champion cyclist in Austria and he continued to ride when time allowed and he passed the love of cycling and sports to his wife and children. Amazing memories will be cherished of his cycling career in Austria, the whole family sponsoring and taking part in the Chilkat International Relay race many times (The Takhini Gassers) and riding up and down the Hot Springs road often visiting with neighbors.

Karl loved his family and was truly happy when everyone gathered together for a nice meal, drinks, and good hardy laughs. He always had a twinkle in his eye and made everyone he encountered feel special. Karl had a love for um pa-pa music, yodelling, and in his youth playing the Spanish guitar.

Karl passed on truly amazing gifts to his family and they will proudly carry on his legacy, passion, courage, determination, and entrepreneurship. Karl will be fondly remembered as a loving, caring, gentle, and a generous person.

He will be greatly missed by his loving family Jenny, Karl & Kelly, Tonya & Brian, and grandchildren Zander, Hudson, and Jenna.