Muriel Gritters

Muriel Gritters, 74, of Sioux Center, IA died Sunday, September 29, 2013, while traveling in Peru. A visitation will be held Friday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Saturday at 10:00AM at the Faith Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11:00AM at Faith Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Bernie Haan and Rev. David Smit officiating. Muriel J. Gritters passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 29, in Lima, Peru at the age of 74. Muriel was born to John P. and Henrietta Westra of rural Hull, IA, on September 12, 1939. She was the oldest of 6 children. She attended a country school near Hull through grade 8 and graduated from Hull Public High School in 1957. Muriel married her high school sweetheart Lyle Gritters on July 22, 1960. She and Lyle lived the majority of their life together in Sioux Center, but also resided in Vermillion, SD, Aberdeen, SD, Sioux Falls, SD, Sioux City, IA, and Rapid City, SD. Together they had 3 sons and 3 daughters, to whom Muriel devoted her life. As Muriel's children got older, she also worked outside the home. She worked for six years at the Sioux Center Medical Clinic as an insurance clerk, four years at Amlend of Sioux Center, and 30 years at Boerdery Inc. of Orange City as a bookkeeper. Muriel loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren and to travel with her husband to new and exciting places. She was always ready for the next trip abroad and together they enjoyed trips to many parts of the world. Her other favorite activities included spending time on the computer, reading, working, or socializing with a wide circle of friends. Above all else, Muriel's greatest joy came from being blessed as a mother and grandmother. Her life always revolved around her family. Muriel was a charter member of Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. She loved the Lord and was completely confident of her salvation. She often said, "I am not afraid of dying. I will be going to a far better place to enjoy eternal life." Muriel is survived by her husband Lyle and their 5 children and 13 grandchildren: Lyndon (Melanie) Gritters of Lakewood, NY, and their sons: Andrew and Sean; Lynette (Dean) Eekhoff of Holland, MI, and their children: Rebecca and Jeremy; Lisa Gritters (fiancé Todd Juranek) of Sioux Center, and her children: Brody, Nick, Josh and Marisa; Laurie (Arlan) Kooiman of Hospers, and their children: Zach, Jacob and Katie; Lance (Nicole) Gritters of Waverly, IA, and their children: Ian and Aliya. Muriel is also survived by 5 siblings: Jim (Laura) Westra of Rock Valley, IA; Roger (Jackie) Westra of Henderson, NV; Donna Dykstra of Rock Valley, IA; Randy (Wai) Westra of Roseville, CA; Darla Westra of Vista, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Larry, and her parents. Muriel was dearly loved by her family and close friends and will be deeply missed.