Muriel Lois Stolen (Bang)

Muriel Lois Stolen, 77, of Sioux City returned home to be with the Lord Wednesday, July 9, 2008, surrounded by her family.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Craig Bock officiating. Private graveside services will be held. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Muriel was born March 24, 1931, in Plymouth, Wis., the daughter of Leonard and Mabel (Levenhagen) Bang.

She was united in marriage with the love of her life, Vern Stolen Sr., on Sept. 2, 1950, in Sioux City. They enjoyed 57 wonderful years of marriage together. Not only were they married for 57 years, but they also grew up together in Wisconsin. Her family and Vern's family moved from Wisconsin to Iowa in 1939. They were blessed with two children, Vernon "Scoot" Jr. and Lynette. She also cherished her three grandsons, Colton, Preston and Thurston.

When Vern was stationed in Bangor, Maine, and Alexandria, La., with the 185th Tactical Fighter Group, she worked at Penney's Department Store. When Vern had fulfilled his service obligations they returned to Sioux City, where she also worked at Penney's. She later joined the family business, working at Midwest Electric Inc.

She loved to entertain and was always the perfect hostess, always wanting to be sure everyone had plenty to eat and were enjoying themselves and especially loved having people at their home on Big Spirit Lake. She was known for her fabulous deviled eggs and made them with love for anyone she could. She also loved to play cards with her "bridge gals", who had been playing together for 40 plus years. She also collected angels, birdhouses and loved seasonal flowers.

She was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She also was on the Altar Guild until her physical condition no longer enabled her to. She was a member of the Daughters of Nile and Order of the Eastern Star.

Even in the past years, when she was not physically able to do many things she wanted, she gave her love and kindness and made her deviled eggs. She loved and trusted in the Lord.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Vern Sr. of Sioux City; her son, Scoot of Sioux City; her daughter and her husband, Lynette and Stan Gable of Hartley, Iowa; three grandsons, Colton, Preston and Thurston Gable, all of Hartley; her sister, Beverly Bang of Sioux City; and many other family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

We will always treasure our memories and her love, but take comfort that God has received her with open arms.