Revena E. Gritters, 84, of Pella, peacefully went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Apr. 4, 2018, surrounded by her family singing God’s praises. Revena loved to travel, and although she was looking forward to visiting Holland in April with her sisters, she is now in heaven – a place more beautiful than anything we can imagine. Funeral services were held Monday, Apr. 9, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in 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.
Revena Ellen Gritters was born Mar. 26, 1934, in Grinnell, to Rienk and Johanna (Rolffs) Zylstra. She was the ninth of 12 children. Revena started her education at Frog Pond Country School just outside of Grinnell. She then attended Sully Christian School and graduated from Pella Christian High School in 1952. Revena met Frank Martin Gritters at high school, and they were united in marriage Oct. 22, 1953, at 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.
Revena began her career of caring for people at Dr. Bartley’s Medical Clinic in Sully. That career shifted to caring for her six children as a stay-at-home mom. During those years, she shared her talents of sewing by not only making clothing for her children, but also as a seamstress for others. Revena was able to sew anything from wedding attire, Dutch costumes, and Barbie doll clothes, to fixing hems and replacing buttons. In 1972, Revena and Frank founded Gritters Electric, where she served as the bookkeeper. In 1980, she returned to the healthcare field at Pella Community Hospital as a CNA and later as a unit secretary.
Volunteering was a passion of Revena’s, spending countless hours donating her time at various places, including Pella Regional Health Center, the Comfort House, and the Pella Windmill. She also gave of her time by serving on many local boards including C.O.C., Hospital Auxiliary, and Mother’s Club for Pella Christian Grade School. Revena and Frank dedicated their lives to serving others, including Rehoboth Christian School and Cary, MS.
Revena was baptized in Sully Christian Reformed Church. She was a member of Calvary Christian Reformed Church since 1959 and was active in Coffee Break and Mission Circle. Revena’s faith in the Lord was steadfast. Revena was first diagnosed with cancer in 1995, and again in 1999 and 2014. She held tight to God’s promise that nothing can separate us from God’s love, not even cancer. In 2004, she lovingly walked her daughter Laura though her battle with cancer.
Revena was the matriarch of her family. She was loving, kind, strong, and faithful. She blessed her family with many traditions and wonderful memories. Revena enjoyed camping, relaxing by Lake Okoboji, and attending her grandkids’ school activities. If you ever needed to find a member of the Gritters family on a Saturday afternoon, they would be sitting around a table enjoying Revena’s cinnamon rolls.
Frank and Revena had a wonderful life together for 61 years and spent their retirement years traveling the world.
She leaves five children: Gordon (Chris) Gritters of Kansas City, MO, Barb (John) Van Gorp of Pella, Bev (Steve) Roozeboom of Pella, Carol (Marty) Ovderweg of New Holland, SD, Dave (Cindy) Gritters of Pella; daughter Laura’s husband, Larry (Betty) Hessing of Altoona; 20 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Of her original family, Revena is survived by: Harriet Zylstra, Carla Zylstra, Joey Bandstra, Bertha (Jim) Talsma, Duke Zylstra, Linda Rus, Art (Verna) Zylstra; also Frank’s siblings; Alberdeen (Dan) Van Wyk, Goldie Dingeman, Edgar (Regina) Gritters, and Arnie Gritters.
Revena was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, in 2015; daughter, Laura Hessing in 2004; parents; siblings: Rev. Martin and Carol Zylstra, Ludolph and Joann Zylstra, Ivan and Evelyn Zylstra, Bob Zylstra, Quintin and Alice Zylstra, Zeke Zylstra, John Bandstra, and Pat Zylstra, Donald Stursma, Duane Dingeman, and Nancy Gritters.
