RIP Louise KaneDignity Memorial
March 2014
Louise Kane Grueneberg was born in San Francisco on Saturday, December 17, 1921 to father Maurice J. Kane and mother Dolores Seijas. The family moved to Boyle Heights, Los Angeles when Louise was three months old. Her brother Maurice was born there; her mother passed away when Louise was just four years of age. She attended public schools and graduated from Lincoln High, Class of 1940.
From early on, Louise knew she wanted to act and got involved in local radio shows while still in
high school. She later enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse conservatory, where she was cast in many main stage productions, most notably playing Rosalind in Shakespeare's As You Like It, and Helen in the premiere of Tennessee Williams' play Stairs to the Roof. It was at the Playhouse that she met her husband, E. William Grueneberg. The story she told was that she borrowed a book from him in class and told her father that same night that she'd met the man she was going to marry.
Louise and Bill were married in 1946 and she continued to act, being cast in Hollywood movies that included He Walked By Night, Squad Car and Paula. Eventually she gave birth to four children: Susan, William, Robert and Peggy and had three grandchildren, Alexandra, Dominique, and Kate, all of whom survive her.
Louise and Bill were regular weekly attendees at St. Columban Catholic Church. Louise was active in her children's lives, serving as a Girl Scout leader for Susan's troop and directing plays at their schools. In her forties, Louise re-enrolled in college and earned her B.A., M.A. and teaching credential in Theatre Arts at Cal State Fullerton. While at CSUF, she also stayed active in theatre, playing Queen Gertrude in Shakespeare's Hamlet opposite Monte Markham.
Louise was also a high school teacher for many years. After her husband retired, the two enjoyed extensive travels throughout North America, Europe and Asia. She also continued to appear in TV commercials. Louise and Bill celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary several months before his death in 2002.
In her final years, Louise was tended by her loving caregiver Carmen, and passed away quietly in the early morning hours of Friday March 6, 2014 at the age of 92.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Pasadena Playhouse at www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
KANE, Louise
Born: 12/17/1921, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
Died: 3/6/2014, Garden Grove, California, U.S.A.
Louise Kane’s westerns – actress:
Wyoming – 1947 (Karen)
Oh! Susanna – 1951 (Mary Bannon)