Gretchen M. Meredith
Sunday, July 2, 1950
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Age:
74 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday March 20, 2025
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Memorial Service
Date: Thursday March 20, 2025
Time: 1:30 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Live Stream
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Sunday, July 2, 1950
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Age:
74 years old
Sunday, July 2, 1950
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Age:
74 years old
Gretchen M. Meredith
Gretchen Marie Meredith, 74, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
Gretchen was born July 2, 1950, in Springfield, Minnesota to Clem and Audrey (Pulkrabek) Lehrer. As the second born of eleven children, Gretchen grew up valuing the importance of family. As a child, her family often spent time in the great outdoors, camping and canoeing. Gretchen was known for her talented swimming skills and was always quick to dip her feet in the water any chance she’d get.
Gretchen graduated in 1968 from Springfield High School. After graduation she attended the Rochester Community College and received an Associate Degree in Nursing in 1971. She worked at St. Marys Hospital where she worked as an R.N. on the Medical Surgical floor. After one of her hospital shifts in 1972, Gretchen met Kip and they were married on May 24, 1974, at St. Bridget’s Church in Simpson, Minnesota. She was employed as an R.N. in Surgery at Olmsted Community Hospital for several years and went on to teach the Surgical Technician Program at Rochester Area Vocational Technical Institute. After teaching, she worked at the Maple Manor Nursing Home up until 1985 due to restrictions after back surgery. She started working at the Post Bulletin fulltime as an editorial assistant and was employed there for 29 years until retirement in 2015 to pursue her favorite job yet; a full time Grandma to her one and only grandchild, Kaylin.
When Gretchen wasn’t occupied being wrapped around her granddaughter’s finger, she enjoyed spending time and keeping in touch with her large family, chatting with friends, cross stitching, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, bird watching, and was a lifelong animal lover. She was always quick to make a friend and could easily spark up a conversation. Gretchen had a kind heart and was such a sweet lady who we will miss dearly.
Gretchen is survived by her daughter Kate, son John (Stephanie), granddaughter Kaylin; mother Audrey; ten siblings Mark (Colleen), Chris (Denny), Jeama (Dan), Karen (Eugene), Art (LeAnn), Ruth (Kurt), Carol (Mike), Lisa (Brad), Mary (Troy), and Cathy (Tim); many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Kip; father Clem; father and mother in-law Harold and Bonnie.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Season’s Hospice.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
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Condolences
The family of Gretchen M. Meredith has received the following condolences.
As a older "brother" I was blessed to be part of the busy Lehrer house, probably more than the "sisters" ever wanted me to be.. Very many GREAT memories of Audrey's breakfasts, trying to get us duck hunters out of the house. There were ALWAYS "sisters" helping, watching from the kitchen doorway, in stages of awakening, helping get us crazies going. Being an only child, one of the very best blessings I ever received, was having all the Lehrer SISTERS show me the true joy of siblings and a house full of love and "family chaos". Eventually the ladies of the house treated me like just another brother. My life's blessings were magnified immensely, being Gretch's other BIG brother. A beautiful sister who grew up to be a blessing to All around her. . THANK YOU Gretchen, and all the rest of you, who reeled in an EAST END kid and made growing up, a continuing adventure filled with "family". I Was VERY lucky to have had you in my life. .
To my godmother, I will miss you. We shared a birthday and a special bond. Go with God, mom is waiting with open arms, to welcome you to heaven. I love you.
What a beautifully written life of Gretchen. Several of us would often came down to Rochester in the spring to have a long weekend of going to garage sales. She would always take the nieces out to the farm to have fun with the animals. What fun memories.
You are correct about a kind, giving person. When my brother- in- law had to spend many weeks of treatment at the Mayo clinic and we were still working, Gretchen would visit him daily... take him for drives and making sure he was taking nourishment and be there to watch baseball games. We new he was in good hands.
I love my big sister and will miss her terribly. Rest in peace Gretchen. May the angels take you into heaven.
To Kate, Jon and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom. She and your Dad were always fun to hang with. My kids Andy and Lyndsay always had fun with both of you. I’m sad I lost touch with them when Don and I divorced and I moved to Colorado. I thought of them so often and wondered how they were doing. I know how hard it is to lose a parent, but losing both of them in a short time must be unbearable. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep their memory alive.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
To the family of Gretchen Meredith we are so sorry to hear of her passing. We go way back with Gretchen and Kip with many fond memories too numerous to mention. But always felt welcome in their home to play cards and whatever else we decided to do. Mike met your dad when they were both working for Clothing Care Center. I feel sad that we drifted apart but Kate she was pregnant with you when I was pregnant with our son. Both firsts for us. We did a lot of comparing notes early on. Our prayers of comfort go out to you all!