Obituary for Bernice Miller Guritz
Bernice Miller Guritz Mapleton, Iowa - Bernice M. Miller Guritz, 92, of Mapleton, Iowa passed away Monday, November 25, 2013, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton with her family at her side. The funeral service will be Friday, November 29 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church in Mapleton with Pastor Harvey Hanson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Mapleton. Visitation will be Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton. The family is receiving condolences on line at www.armstrongfuneral.com. Bernice (pronounced "Burnice"} Maureen Miller Guritz was born December 27, 1920, at Ute, Iowa, the daughter of Elton and Edna (Busby) Ridley. She grew up in the area being raised primarily on the farm with her family on Leech Hollow. She first attended country school, completed high school, and graduated from a two year teaching degree program at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. She then taught country school for five years while living in the homes of school families. Upon the return of Chalmers Miller from his duty in World War II, Bernice and Chalmers were married October 17, 1945 at Mapleton. The couple began farming and raised their three children on their Century Farm near Mapleton. Chalmers died March 27, 1983. Bernice then moved in to her current home in Mapleton. On February 27, 1988, she married Edward Guritz in Mapleton. Ed died March 16, 2008. Bernice was a dedicated member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Mapleton where she could be called upon to organize the funeral lunches for a number of years along with many other church activities. At home, she was a very prayerful person devoting time at night to pray for each family member. Family always came first! She kept up with each and every one of them and was the reference to go to when they wanted to know about each other. She was faithful in acknowledging all the birthdays and events in her family with cards and well wishes. Her heart was huge and yet she entertained a "sassy" attitude, ready to share her informed opinion on the talk of the day including politics. However, above all she loved her growing family and her church. Loving family members surviving Bernice are her three children, Karen Le Febvre and her husband, John of Sioux City, Iowa, Steve Miller and his wife, Grace of Tickfall, Louisiana, and Marsha Bell of Mapleton, Iowa; seven grandchildren; four step grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; one step great grandchild; and two great great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Ridley of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews; the Guritz family includes one step daughter, Carolyn Carson of Carroll, Iowa; one step daughter-in-law, Diane Guritz of Bowling Green, Missouri; two step grandchildren; and one step great grandchild. Along with her husbands, Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Barlow Ridley; one step son, Paul Guritz; one step son-in-law, Jim Carson.
Service:
Friday, November 29, 2013 10:30 a.m.
St. John's United Methodist Church Mapleton, Iowa
Visitation:
Thursday, November 28, 2013 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home Mapleton, Iowa
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Service:
Friday, November 29, 2013 10:30 a.m.
St. John's United Methodist Church Mapleton, Iowa
Visitation:
Thursday, November 28, 2013 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home Mapleton, Iowa
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