Gretchen Kay (Grove) Breske passed away at Sunday, March 4, 2012, at the LakeWood Care Center, Baudette, Minn.
Gretchen was born July 27, 1938, in Glenwood, Minn., to Edna and Joseph Grove.
She attended the Glenwood Public Schools and graduated in 1956.
In 1960, Gretchen earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Hamline University, St. Paul, Minn. She later earned a computer programming certificate from Century College, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Gretchen worked as a registered nurse at the University of Minnesota Hospitals, Minneapolis, Minn.; Children’s Hospital, St. Paul, Minn.; St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, Minn.; and Miller Hospital (now United Hospitals), St. Paul, Minn. Her working career was cut short by heath issues so she became a “stay at home mom.”
In 1961, Gretchen met and married Carl Breske, her loving husband and partner for just over 50 years.
In 1964 she gave birth to a son, Greg, who is current a musician on a Carnival Cruise liner.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edna and Joseph Grove.
Gretchen is survived by sisters Janet (Tom) Hill of Los Alamos, N.M., and Joey Davie of Minnetonka, Minn.; and well as many nieces nephews and other members of her’s and Carl’s extended families.
In her “stay at home mom” career, Gretchen kept the “home fires burning,” the household running, the gardens growing, the meals cooked and the clothes clean for a very appreciative husband and son.
Gretchen had a great love for music and very much enjoyed it when Greg came home for a visit and played music on the baby grand piano at the LakeWood Care Center.
The life for this gentle lady with the “million dollar” smile and quiet dignity ended after a very long and painful battle with MS. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Be at peace, “Gretchie,” my “girlfriend.”
Gretchen’s family members wish to thank the administration, doctors, nurses, CNAs and all other staff members of the LakeWood Care Center in Baudette for the special, hospice care as well as the extra attention paid to Gretchen.
A memorial service to celebrate Gretchen’s life will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, April 27, at LakeWood Care Center, Baudette.
Gretchen bequeathed her body to Mayo Medical School in the hope of contributing to the understanding of MS. At the completion of her service to Mayo, a memorial service will be conducted for her and other recent donors. All friends and family members will be invited.
