Funeral services for Frank M. Gritters, 81, of Pella, were held Saturday, May 2, 2015, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Pella. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given for the Pella Christian Grade School, Pella Christian High School, or Rehoboth Christian School.
Frank Martin Gritters was born Jan. 29, 1934, in Kent County, Holland, MI. He was the second child of Rev. Martin Egbert Jonathan and Jeanette (Vande Kerk) Gritters. Frank received his elementary education at Sioux Center Christian School in Sioux Center and Roseland Christian School in Oak Lawn, IL. He graduated from Pella Christian High School with the Class of 1951. During high school, Frank played center on the basketball team during both his junior and senior years. Frank met Revena Ellen Zylstra at high school, and they were united in marriage on Oct. 22, 1953, at the Sully Christian Reformed Church. They dearly loved the Lord and enjoyed life together raising their six children: Gordon Eugene, Laura Beth, Barbara Ann, Beverly Rae, Carol Ruth, and David Jon.
Frank began working as a lineman for the Pella REC in 1951. In 1972, he founded Gritters Electric. The business continued to expand, and in 1979, he built his shop. He retired from Gritters Electric in January 1999, but remained active in and faithful to the church, the schools, and the community. Frank especially enjoyed volunteering at Bibles for Missions, Rehoboth Christian School in New Mexico, Hospice of Pella, and Cary Christian Center in Mississippi. Frank also loved tinkering in "Frank's Fix-it Shop" in his home. One of his greatest joys was in helping his children and grandchildren whenever and however needed. "No" was not in his vocabulary!
Frank was a former member of the Protestant Reformed Church in Pella. He was a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church since 1959 and served several terms as a deacon and an elder. He served on both the Pella Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School boards and was an originator for the Pella Christian High School Booster Club. Other boards he served on included Dordt College, Pella Historical Society, and Citizens United to Keep Pella Unique.
Frank and Revena had a wonderful life together for over 60 years and were truly blessed with a wonderful family of six children, 20 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. They are: Gordon (Chris) Gritters of Kansas City, MO; (Laura) Larry and Betty Hessing of Altoona, Iowa; Barb (John) Van Gorp of Pella; Bev (Steve) Roozeboom of Pella; Carol (Marty) Overweg of New Holland, SD; and Dave (Cindy) Gritters of Pella.
Frank leaves his two sisters and his two brothers: Alberdeen (Dan) Van Wyk, Goldie Dingeman, Edgar (Regina) Gritters, and Arnold (Nancy) Gritters of Pella of his original family; along with the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Harriet (Zylstra, Quintin (Alice) Zylstra, all of Pella, Carla Zylstra of Sully, Joey Bandstra of Pella, Bertha (Jim) Talsma of Colfax, Duke Zylstra of Sully, Linda (Donald) Rus, and Art (Verna) Zylstra, all of Pella.
Frank was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura Hessing, on Mar. 18, 2004; his parents; his two brothers-in-law, Donald Stursma and Duane Dingeman; his parents-in-law: Rienk and Johanna (Rolffs) Zylstra; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Martin and Carol Zylstra, Ludolph and Joann Zylstra, Rev. Ivan and Evelyn Zylstra, Bob Zylstra, Zeke Zylstra, John Bandstra, and Pat Zylstra.
Frank experienced life with his family through many happy and sad occasions. On Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2015, he passed away while hiking with Revena in Red Wing, MN. Frank went from seeing God's glory to being in it, which is our greatest comfort!
