Gritters, Nancy Eileen 1945-2015

BEASLEY, COLUMBIA, DINGEMAN, GRITTERS, JANSEN, JARRETT, KOLB, KRUSEMAN, POTHOVEN, RUS, RYKEN, STURSMA, VAN MOUWERIK, VANDE KERK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/21/2015 at 16:50:53

Funeral Services will be held
Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.
Faith Christian Reformed Church, Pella, Iowa
Interment will follow in the t’Lam Cemetery near Pella, Iowa

Visitation will begin Friday afternoon at Faith Christian Reformed Church where the family will be present Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial be given for the Nancy Gritters Memorial Fund.

Nancy Eileen Rus was born to Henry Aaron Rus and Johanna Marie Kruseman Rus on December 27, 1945, in the Mahaska County Hospital at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and was called home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, May 18, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Her strong and courageous attitude brought her peacefully to her eternal home.

Nancy married Arnold (Arnie) Henry Gritters on December 18, 1964, at Pipestone, Minnesota in a small, intimate ceremony conducted by his father, Rev. Martin Gritters.

Nancy lived her life in Pella, Iowa where she and Arnie raised their four children: Ann Marie, Kimberly Jean, Matthew Arnold and Joshua Rus. Nancy’s full-time job was being a wife and mother, but she also held several part-time jobs over the years. She was passionate about Coffee-Break Ministries at Faith Christian Reformed Church and helped begin the Backpack Program in the community of Pella.

The 50 years Nancy and Arnie shared together serve as a legacy to many of what faith in God, commitment, and true love is all about. She loved nothing more than walking arm in arm with her “prince” around town; she loved being outside identifying birds and flowers and enjoying the seasons. A natural artist, adventurous, spontaneous, and supportive, Nancy had a unique, graceful style that she freely shared with others. A great listener, Nancy welcomed people with generosity of spirit and always seemed to know the right words to say or not to say. Nothing made her more content than being surrounded with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren during the 69 years of her earthly life.

The family members left to honor her memory are her devoted husband Arnie Gritters, her best friend and soul mate, and their children: Ann and Jeffrey Van Mouwerik of Redlands, California; Kimberly and Brian Kolb of Pella,Iowa; Matthew and Kimberly (Pothoven) Gritters of Pella, Iowa; and Joshua and Jodi (Jarrett) Gritters of Knoxville, Iowa; their grandchildren: Nathan Van Mouwerik and Maranda Columbia, Reyer and Alyssa Van Mouwerik; Max, Emma, and Tessa Kolb; Rebecca, Noah, Isaiah, and Sarah Gritters; and great grandchildren, Kayley Van Mouwerik-Beasley and Reyer James Van Mouwerik.

Nancy’s family includes her sisters and brothers: Dorothy and John Van Gorp, Wilma (Arnold) Ryken, John and Frankie Rus all of Pella, Geraldine “Jeri” (Cornie) Jansen of Sully, Iowa, Donald and Linda Rus, Marvin and Carol Rus all of Pella; and Arnie’s sisters brother: Alberdeen (Don Stursma) and Dan Van Wyk, Goldie (Duane) Dingeman, Edgar and Regina Gritters, Revena (Frank) Gritters all of Pella.

Those who have preceded Nancy to Heaven are her parents, Henry and Johanna Rus; her parents-in-law, Martin E. and Jeanette Vande Kerk Gritters; and the following brothers-in-law: Arnold Ryken, Cornie Jansen, Donald Stursma, Duane Dingeman and Frank Gritters.

Nancy deeply loved and encouraged her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to be all God intended them to be. She had deep seated grace, and love overflowed from her continuously. Nancy’s family lifted her to heaven peacefully by singing “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.” She now has been translated into a new being who freely dances in the blessings of heaven. ~ The Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa 18 May 2015.