Services
Obituary
Iola (Rippentrop) Gray, 91, of Kanawha, passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018 at the Kanawha Community Home.
Funeral services for Iola Gray will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 10:30 AM at Kanawha Christian Reformed Church, with Pastor Brian Hofman officiating. Burial will be in Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha.
Visitation for Iola will be Monday, December 17, 2018 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home 118 East Second Street in Kanawha and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.
Iola Anna Henrietta Rippentrop Gray, 91, of Kanawha, passed away on December 14, 2018 at the Kanawha Community Home; Kanawha, Iowa.
Iola was born April 23, 1927, to George and Anna Swalve Rippentrop near Titonka, Iowa. She graduated from Titonka High School in 1945.
She married Vernon Gray on November 22, 1946 at Ramsey Reformed Church near Titonka and the couple began farming near Buffalo Center. In 1951 they farmed near Corwith where Iola served as Vern’s right hand “woman.” They retired to Kanawha in 1984.
She demonstrated her love as a mother by sharing daily devotions with her sons. and attending their various concerts, sporting events, and parent-teacher conferences.
Iola also loyally served at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church where she taught Sunday School and Calvinettes and participated in ladies aide society. She even found time to turn a hobby into a business by creating beautiful wedding cakes. Hospice patients were blessed by her compassion and care as a volunteer for many years.
Her sons Donavon (Lana), San Clemente, California; James (Ruth), Grand Rapids, Michigan; and daughter-in-law Glenda Gray VanderWoude from Warner Springs, California; seven grandchildren, twelve great-children, and one great-great grandchild carry on Iola’s legacy. Her husband Vernon, son Mark, and grandson Anthony Gray welcomed her to God’s eternal home.
Iola’s love of family was demonstrated in her many visits to California and Michigan. She shared her love for music, nature, and the Hawkeyes with those around her, and will long be remembered for her giggles, encouragements and continual prayers.