Myrna Ruth Witzke

Myrna Ruth Hale Witzke was reborn and greeted her Lord Jesus Christ on Feb. 14, 2015. If you asked Myrna what was her greatest purpose in life she would answer you with loving the Lord Jesus Christ, her one and only marriage to Art Witzke and raising her three handsome boys, Greg, Mark and Kevin. She was a very proud and thankful mother. Myrna Hale and Arthur Witzke were married in New Mexico on Dec. 23, 1950. She was proud to be a homemaker because it was as she said “an honest to goodness JOB”. Myrna and Art traveled the South as far west as Arizona through New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Georgia, and Texas but finally settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which she proclaimed as “the prettiest place she ever lived”. She felt strongly about making a home wherever Art’s job would take them. The home she created for her family was filled with good cooking, taming three (at times, wild) boys, sewing her own clothing and sharing life and fellowship with her church and God. If you wanted a lively discussion with Myrna, you could bring up politics or the bible. She was well versed in both. Her commitment to the study of the Holy Word was sincere. She once took a 5-year course called the Community Bible Study Course. When she completed she proceeded to share her knowledge with others through teaching in Sunday school and sharing the Word with whom she felt needed it at the time. She loved the fellowship and choir at church and said “music soothed her soul”. Quiet about her charitable gifts she felt great empathy for those in need, especially children. Growing up in the Dust Bowl days in Hardesty, Oklahoma as one of five children to Paul and Nadine Hale, Myrna looked up to her brothers, Gene, Roy, Tobey and her younger sister Reida. Some of her fondest memories were of family and music. In those days with the depression and the dust bowl trials, there wasn’t much to celebrate but with a pick and a prayer you could sing your heart out, make music and praise the Lord. That didn’t cost a dime. She carried those beliefs and principals all her life and put them into practice every way she could. Self-taught on the piano it wasn’t unusual to find her at the keyboard singing away on a gospel or a Christmas carol. She loved to listen to the choirs during the holidays and always enjoyed gospel harmony groups like the Gaithers. Holidays were a special time to her. She loved to play hostess and have her family gather for dinner and enjoyed her time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her eyes would light up when the family would go on drives to see the lights at Rhema or any beautiful display especially when it displayed the birth of Christ. Summer times spent with the grandchildren were very special to her. She had her traditions and shared special times with each of them which they will remember the rest of their lives. Everyone has a Myrna story to tell, you can be sure. In the last few months, everyone in her family and circle of friends were on her mind and she spoke of all of them often. She wanted everyone to know how much she loved him or her and felt so blessed to have them in her life. Myrna wasn’t given to emotional gushes, it was a pat on the hand, a hug before she left or a squeeze on your arm but she never wavered in her faith or love for her family. It wasn’t complicated, she loved the simply things in life and always remarked how God gave us such a beautiful world to enjoy, so she did. That is her wish for you, love God, love your family and enjoy this beautiful world He gave us. God Bless You. Visitation 1:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Funeral Service 2:00 p.m. Wednesday both at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500

Myrna Ruth Witzke

September 18, 1933 - February 14, 2015