Barbara Granzow

Barbara Granzow passed away Sunday, 03/16/2014 from cancer of the liver. The funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2014 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8301 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, Iowa. Visitation will be at Gloria Dei 5 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 20. 2014 and also one hour prior to the time of services. Barbara was born July 4, 1935, to DeMar and Wilma Sweeten in Des Moines. She was married to Ronald Granzow, February 19, 1955, and is survived by her husband, Ronald, son and daughter-in-law Lyle and Luann Granzow, daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and Randal Lehman, sisters Wanda Humphries and Deann McFarland, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Michael Granzow Ronald and Barbara raised three children together, Michael (deceased), Lyle, and Kimberly. Barbara was a 1953 graduate of Des Moines North High School, and attended Central College in Pella, Iowa. One of Barbara's inspirations came from James 2:20."faith without works is dead." This Biblical inspiration guided her lifetime activities: chairman of the Des Moines Christian Women's Club; eleven-year board member, Door of Faith board of Directors; volunteer, Lutheran Social Services One Plus One program; served on the council and taught Mid-Week School at Redeemer Lutheran Church; served on the board of Hamilton College; active volunteer in Republican Precinct, district and state party work; volunteer worker for Iowa Christian Coalition and Iowa Right to Life; and swim instructor for several years at the Des Moines YMCA. During the 50's and 60's Barbara worked at John Deere Des Moines Works and later as personal secretary for the Director of the National Science Foundation at the University of Iowa. In following decades she placed Substitute Teachers for the Des Moines School Board for ten years, followed by a stint as a recruitment officer for Staff Associates for ten years. Her current position was as a receptionist at Mercy Hospital for 16 years. Barbara Loved the game of Bridge and was a frequent player at the Des Moines Area Bridge House. She was an avid swimmer even into her later years and loved to cook, often bringing meals to families who had lost loved ones. Yet in spite of this activity Barbara's main ministry was as an excellent homemaker for her family, and a loving and prayerful grandmother for her grandchildren. Her only walk was a Christian walk. Barbara was a wonderful, brave, caring, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Barbara knew Jesus personally and served Him always. She was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Memorial contributions made to Shining City Foundation in memory of Barbara's life will be used exclusively to support an infant orphanage in China that is hosted by brothers and sisters in Christ. Interment will be at the Van Meter Veterans' Cemetery 2:00 p.m. Friday.