Lois Evelyn Gritten

Lois Evelyn (King) Gritten, daughter of Silas Wilson King and Grace Eliza (Bailey) King, was born on a farm south of Dickens, IA, on January 14, 1924. Lois attended school at Lincoln Township School and graduated from Gillett Grove in 1942. As a Gillett Grove Hilltopper, Lois was active in basketball, a roving shortstop for kittenball, drum majorette, cheerleader, and sang and accompanied the chorus. Lois and Arlo Otis Gritten eloped to Platte City, MO on May 25, 1942. They farmed with Arlo's parents, Otis and Cora Gritten, near Greenville, IA. In 1955, Lois and Arlo moved to a larger house and farmed by Rossie, IA, as now their family had grown to 5 children. Lois lived in the farmhouse by Rossie until 2008. She moved to Hillside Terrace and later became a resident of St. Luke Lutheran Home until passing away. Lois was a member of Rossie United Church of Christ where she was an active member of the Women's Fellowship until the closing of the Rossie church, when she joined First Congregational Church in Spencer, IA. Lois enjoyed her life with her husband. She and Arlo traveled to most of the 50 states including Hawaii, plus Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Europe. To escape the cold winters, Lois and Arlo became snowbirds, pulling their travel trailer to Arizona, Florida, and 25 years at Donna, Texas. In the summer, they cooled off for 30 years at Orr's Campground at Lake Okoboji and fished in Minnesota, Canada, and Pierre, SD. Lois loved her Monday Matinee Bowling League, and helping daughters with their 4-H projects and demonstrations. Gardening, canning and flowers were also an important contribution to the family life. During bailing and harvest, we always looked forward to Lois's great lunches. Lois and Arlo were avid golfers, shuffle boarders, playing cards and games with family and friends. Later in life, she enjoyed a good book, Wheel of Fortune, Lawrence Welk and was always included in the local "March Madness" NCAA Final 4 pool. On January 9, 2013, Lois Gritten passed away at St. Luke Lutheran Home, 5 days short of celebrating her 89 birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlo Gritten in 2007; her parents; one brother, Darrell King; and one great-grandchild, Emmanuel Steuben. The memory of Lois will be treasured by her 4 daughters: Terri Ward (Kim Brotten), Cross Junction, VA; Donna Harmon and Jim Muniz, Centennial, CO; Pam and Pat Sheridan, Clinton, IA; Bonnie and Larry Trosin, Rossie, IA, and one son, Rod Gritten, Spencer, IA; 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Floyd King and wife, Marge, Ruthven, IA; other relatives and many friends.

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