Hazel Gritzner
May 27, 1927 ~ November 4, 2012
Hazel C. Gritzner, age 85, of Plainfield, Iowa, died Sunday, November 4, 2012, at the Linden Place-Bartels Retirement Community in Waverly.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 8, 2012, at the First Baptist Church in Plainfield with Pastor Shawn Geer officiating.
Internment will be in Willow Lawn Cemetery with grandsons Monty Gritzner, Mitchell Gritzner, Nathan Gritzner, Aaron Severs, Ryan Smith and Travis Smith serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Gritzner and Mario Gritzner.
Friends may greet the family 4 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in Nashua. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.
Hazel Christina Gritzner was born May 27, 1927, in Coggan, Iowa, the daughter of William and Ethel (Swanson) Sullivan. Because of her father’s work with the railroad, the family lived in Coggan, Central City and Stacyville, finally settling in Plainfield. Hazel graduated from Plainfield High School in 1944, and worked various jobs in the area, primarily as a telephone operator in Plainfield. Hazel married Walter Charles Gritzner on June 10, 1946, at the First Baptist Church in Plainfield, IA, and they were blessed with six children.
The couple farmed west of Plainfield, then east of Janesville for a few years. The family moved to Plainfield in 1956 and farmed north of town. Walter and Hazel retired from farming in 1982 and moved into Plainfield.
Hazel was an active member at Plainfield’s First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and being involved in ABW, Ladies Circle and White Cross, etc. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed her time with the Sunshine Gals, making and sending cards.
Hazel was a devoted wife and mother, serving her family and the Lord with her life. She cherished spending time with her family and friends, and was a dedicated prayer warrior. Gardening and nature provided much joy and pleasure for her. Since moving to Linden Place, she enjoyed working with puzzles, playing dominoes, and participating in the tone chimes choir.
Hazel is survived by her six children: Delores (Douglas) Severs of Clarksville, IA; Stanley (Diann) Gritzner of Plainfield, IA; Daniel (Dianna) Gritzner of Batavia, IL; Peggy (Joel) Smith of Janesville, IA; Randal (Elvia) Gritzner of Sebastian, TX; Rhonda (Gregg) Johnstone of Alta Loma, CA; one brother, Robert (Fran) Sullivan of Decorah, IA; one sister, Connie Voeltz of Marian, IA; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter in 2008; and three brothers, Donald, Dorrance, and Glenn Sullivan.
We are so sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you! -Kevin, Cyndy, Andrew & Katie Marx
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Praise God she is with her Lord and Savior! Love you all!! The Hullinger Family
To all the Gritzner clan, I have a lot of fond memories of spending time with all of you at the farm. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time of loss. Curt and Sandy Hansen
Thoughts and prayers are with you all. So many fond memories of spending time at the Gritzner farm.
Stan and family- You are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Hazel was such a friendly person. I always enjoyed babysitting with you kids because your parents were so nice and appreciative. Marj and Cecil Krull
We Send our Sympathy to All. I didn’t know her real well, but Darrell and his family did and respected her much. May God Bless and her fond memories be cherished. Darrell and Etta Robinson.