Nov. 12, 1931 – Feb. 9, 2025

"We remember Gretchen's concern for others, her sweet smile and her personal gifts of kindness to each of us." — A dear friend

Born in Winona, Minnesota, to Carl and Helen Schubert, Gretchen grew up in La Crosse, Wisconsin, alongside her younger brothers, Karl, Franz and Fritz.

She studied interior design at the University of Wisconsin, where she pledged Delta Gamma and met her future husband, Will Van Ert, at a sorority-fraternity social 75 years ago. Their journey took them to Hawaii; the first of four daughters, Heidi, was born while Will was stationed in the Pacific as a naval officer. They made their way back to La Crosse, where Enid, their second daughter, was born, then on to Des Moines, and two more daughters, Greta and Sondra. Gretchen would often lament the days of trying to get 40 little fingers into white Sunday gloves.

Eventually, Will's work brought the family to Utah. Gretchen was concerned there wouldn't be any good trees for the girls to climb. Although the trees were small, the adventures were big. Gretchen joined in all the activities the West had to offer. By the time she settled with her youngest, Sondra, in Ketchum, she embraced her winter passion skiing with Mountain Masters. Summers were dedicated to endless hours hiking, gathering wildflowers and creating her handmade cards to benefit the Church of the Big Wood.

Gretchen’s dedication to her community was unwavering. She served on the High School Council, P.E.O., as a Girl Scout leader, AFS Student Exchange director and Stephen Minister. A conservationist decades ahead of her time, Gretchen practiced recycling and composting—a value instilled during the era of her youth. She provided countless opportunities for her daughters, shuttling them to early swim practices, ski training and violin lessons, all while navigating adventures in her beloved Volkswagen van, which famously carried the family of six across Europe in 1973.

She and Will, frequently with family, enjoyed traveling the world. As life slowed down for her, they settled at Rogue Valley Manor in Medford, Oregon. As Gretchen's memory faded, she was lovingly cared for by dedicated home health aides and the compassionate staff at the Memory Support Center, who affectionately called her "Smiley." Family and friends shared joyful moments of songs and memories with her until Alzheimer's took her life.

Gretchen will be missed by her husband, Will, her four daughters, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many dear friends. But we know she is looking forward to those Thursday hikes with her buddies, collecting wildflowers, pressing them and making those beautiful cards which touched so many lives. We love you, Gretchen.