The Hearts Behind the Story

Meet Ken & Mary Sue

Our Story

Kenneth and Mary Sue Grein have been married for over four decades and are the parents of four children: Jacob, Hannah, Luke, and Grace. Their love story began at Rockmont College in Denver, Colorado, where they met during freshman orientation in 1977.

Ken, a former college basketball player and lifelong contractor, grew up on his family’s farm in Brighton, Colorado, where he learned the values of hard work and perseverance that would serve him throughout Jacob’s medical journey.

Mary Sue, a gifted pianist and devoted mother, became Jacob’s primary caregiver and fiercest advocate, developing an expertise in medical terminology and special needs care that few parents possess.

The Journey Behind the Book

Together, they navigated 37 years of medical challenges, hospital stays, and daily care giving while raising three other children and maintaining their faith through the darkest moments. Their experience as parents of a child with multiple disabilities taught them profound lessons about love, resilience, and finding joy in the smallest victories. The Grein’s unwavering commitment to treating Jacob as a full member of the family—never as a burden—became a model for other families facing similar challenges.

Our Story, Our Mission

Jacob’s Story represents their first collaborative writing project, born from a desire to honor their son’s legacy and offer hope to other families walking difficult roads. They currently reside in Colorado, where they enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, who continue to be inspired by Uncle Jacob’s example of living life to the fullest.

“We wrote this book because Jacob’s story doesn’t end with his death” Mary Sue explains. “His life continues to teach us about what really matters – not what we can accomplish, but who we choose to be in both the easy moments and the impossible ones.”