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Griess, Betty Louise 'B.L.'
Betty Louise “B.L.” Griess, 84, of Amana, died Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at her home. Funeral Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Amana Community Church, Amana, with Elder Peter Hoehnle officiating. Burial will be in the Amana Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Amana Community Church, Amana.
Memorials may be contributed to the Amana Church Society or Safe Haven of Iowa County.
Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Louise Haas was born Aug. 22, 1927, in Amana, Iowa, the daughter of John Henry Haas and Louise Oehl Haas. She graduated from the Amana High School in 1946. Betty was employed at the Amana Woolen Mill in the salesroom and as a buyer for many years. She was united in marriage to Theo W. Griess on Oct. 20, 1956, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple had four children, Lewis, twins John and Joanne, and Marie.
B.L. was a wonderful homemaker. She loved to do jigsaw puzzles with her children and she worked crossword and word searches daily. She enjoyed nature and watched and fed the birds in her backyard. Her home was a gathering place for family and friends and the welcome sign was always out. She loved to cook meals for all who visited. B.L. recognized treasures and loved going to auctions and antique shows. She was the original “American Picker.” “Hab auch die Welt die schonsten Stunden doch nur in meinem Heim gefunden.”
She was a member of the Amana Church Society.
She is survived by her children, Lewis of Cedar Rapids, Joanne Griess of Amana, John Griess (Julie) of Williamsburg, and Marie Griess of Amana; two grandchildren, Connor Griess of North Liberty and Taylor Sherman of North Liberty; and a sister, Mary Ann Fels of Amana.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1994; her parents; a stillborn grandson, Thaddaeus Logan Griess; and a brother-in-law, George Fels.
B.L. was a person of not wanting, but rather of giving. She cherished her time with the family, especially her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Online condolences may be extended to the family at .
Published in The Gazette Aug. 15, 2012.
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