Hazel Gritzner

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.