Muriel J Oostra

     Muriel Oostra, age 76, of Hull, IA, died Sunday, January 6, 2018, at her home surrounded by her family.

     Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Carmel Reformed Church in Carmel, IA with Rev. Mike Pitsenberger officiating. Burial will follow at the Carmel Cemetery.

     Visitation will be Wednesday January 9th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with family present at the Carmel Reformed Church in Carmel, IA.

     Memorials may be directed to Carmel Cemetery Fund or Sioux Center Health Hospice.

     Muriel Joan Oostra was born January 21, 1942 on a farm near Carmel, IA to Henry and Minerva (Wesselink) Sandbulte. She was the baby girl of a family of 15. She received her education at the Carmel Country School and the Sioux Center High School. As a young girl on the farm her favorite things to do were playing in the pasture and swimming in the creek. In Rock Valley, she became acquainted with a young man who became the love of her life. His name was Robert “Bob” Oostra and on September 22, 1961 they exchanged wedding vows at the Carmel Reformed Church. The young couple moved to Hull where they would live their entire lives together lovingly raising their family. The majority of those years they lived in the big white house on the corner. Muriel loved to spend time in the kitchen. She will always be remembered for her homemade root beer and the hundreds of popcorn balls she made for trick-or-treaters each year, and “stuff in a pan”. Muriel was instrumental for beginning the cookie ministry at church, her giving spirit inspired others to help; now it is a part of Sunday fellowship. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, quilting, camping, and fishing. Muriel loved people and togetherness. Anything that included family was looked forward to. Holidays were celebrated with as many family and friends as possible. The best summer family reunion included a water fight! Family, friends, and neighbors were all encouraged to stop by at the fire pit outside their home to enjoy a hot dog. She held a deep love for all her grandchildren, and always had time for them no matter what. She played a fierce game of wahoo, and was often accused of cheating, to which she would smile and say “wouldn’t you like to know”. Muriel loved babies. She would seek out little ones to hold and enjoy. Muriel was a very special woman who touched many. This past Sunday, Muriel Joan Oostra lost her short, painful battle with pancreatic cancer and passed away at the age of 76. She put her trust in the Lord, and confessed that Jesus died for her!? Yes for her. We rejoice in her deliverance, but grieve for our loss.

     Muriel is survived by her husband of 58 years, Robert Lee Oostra of Hull, IA; five children, Nelson and Wanda Oostra of Hull, IA, Orlin and Kristi Oostra of Hull, IA, LaBeth and Mark Hoekstra of Hull, IA, Ryan Oostra of Boyden, IA, and John and Shantel Oostra of Sheldon, IA; 18 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; special friend and neighbor, Marj Wagner of Hull, IA; sisters, Johanna and Rev. Arnold Punt of Sioux Center, IA, Lois Van Maanen of Rock Valley, IA, Norma and John Boogard of Hull, IA, Retta Van Kley of Rock Valley, IA, Carol and Clarence Van Voorst of Hull, IA; sisters-in-law, Leona Sandbulte of Luverne, MN, Janice Sandbulte of Luverne, MN, Florence Sandbulte of Rock Valley, IA, Betty Sandbulte of Sioux Center, IA; in-laws, Bill and Lois Oostra of Winneconne, WI, Andrew and Wilhelmina “Tootie” Oostra of Rock Valley, IA, Teresa Oostra of Rock Valley, IA as well as many other extended family members.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Minerva Sandbulte; grandsons, Brandon Allen Oostra and James Lee Oostra; brothers, John Edwin, Bernard, Jim, Delmar John, Kenny, Milton, Delmar, Norman Lee, and Harvard Ivan.