Susan Harty

Susan Jane Harty (Gruba) of Bristol, South Dakota, formerly of Roslyn, South Dakota, passed away February 9th, 2022 in Aberdeen, South Dakota surrounded by her family. 

Susan was born in Webster, South Dakota on July 20th, 1950 to Harry and Mary Gruba. One of 12 children Susan was raised in Grenville, South Dakota and graduated from high school in Roslyn, SD in 1968. 

Upon graduation Susan moved to San Diego, CA and married Sgt. Ken Harty on July 19th, 1969 surrounded by strangers and some guy from the 9th battalion.  They soon after returned to South Dakota and started their family in Rapid City, SD. The couple settled in North Dakota where Susan worked as a CNA at Elim Nursing home and later as a dispatcher for Cass County Electric Coop. Along with her husband Ken, Susan worked with Lutheran Social Services Refugee Relocation Program and was a long time foster parent for the Cass County Family Services Division. In 1993 they moved once more to Roslyn, SD where Susan worked as a full-time home maker, care giver, and  foster parent to countless children. 

Susan loved gardening, reading cookbooks, and spending time with friends and family. She masterfully raised six fabulously good looking, talented, and perhaps annoyingly resilient children and instilled in them the belief that everything would heal before they got married…her words. Mostly. She was an amazing cook and loved nothing more than Christmas baking. Those around her always welcomed her wide array of cookies, cakes & sweet treats and are still working off the physical consequences of her skills in the kitchen. 

Susans life was defined by her endless love for her family. She was a champion for those in need. Her door was open to anyone, there was a seat at her table for all, and she always kept the coffee on. If kindness were a currency she was wealthy beyond belief. 

Susan was preceded in death by her husband Ken, her daughter Demetria, her parents Harry & Mary Gruba, siblings Adam, David, Johnny & Linda and most recently Gordon the dog. 

She is survived by her children Rob Harty, Chad(Angie) Harty, Josh(Jessica)Harty, Paul(Bryanna) Harty, Tarah(David) Kroll, Aaliyah Harty, and longtime foster daughter Hurizon Davila; her siblings Harry, Marion (Carlyle Mortenson), Chuck (Nancy), Judy (Gary Gabur), Debbie, Larry (Cindy), & Terry (Alan Sobin) and Mavis (David) Gruba, numerous nieces & nephews, her best friend Gloria Paulson, and Phillip the cat. 

She’d also like to remind you to wear your seatbelt. 

In accordance with Susan’s wishes there will be no formal service although a good ol’ shindig (again, her words) will be held to celebrate the lives of Susan and Ken in the summer of 2022. 

Written by: her kids