Grace Stella Kretche
August 25, 1954 - August 27, 2018
Obituary
MADISON/OXFORD/WISCONSIN DELLS-Grace S. Kretche, age 64, of Madison. Sweet Grace passed away in the comfort of her home with her beloved husband, Bob and pet cat, Toby by her side on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. She was born on Aug. 25, 1954, in Portage, the daughter of Arnold and Florabelle (Smith) Larson. Grace graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1972. She was united in marriage to Robert "Bob" Kretche. Grace worked for First Federal Savings and Loan for many years and then worked for Stafford Rosenbaum LLP for the past 27 years. She took pride in her work and found importance in providing support and assistance to them and their customers and clients. She enjoyed camping up North with her husband on his frequent hunting trips. Watching the Packers were a must as were the discussions with family members and co-workers following the games. She loved cats, especially her Toby along with others over the years. Grace loved spending time and visiting with her family, doting on her nieces and nephews, and never forgot a birthday. She always looked forward to the Larson annual picnic and holiday gatherings with them and the Kretches. Grace is survived by her husband, Bob; sister, Mary (Richard) Belling; brothers, Jim (Claudia) Larson and Stanley (Arlene) Larson; father-in-law, Robert (Mary) Kretche; and sister-in-law Kathy (Steve) Lindsey and brother-in-law, Don Kretche; and nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters, Amy (Dave) Sampson and Eileen (Dick) Amend. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare for their care and support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
608-221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sat Sep 1, 2018 @ 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Sat Sep 1, 2018 @ 11:30 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Grace have been shared yet.
Memories
VM
Vickie Miller
Other •
Sympathy to your husband and your family memories of you when you and your mom and dad and family would come to Cook Street in Portage and we would roller skate, chat or your grandma Smith would play the piano what fond memories it was May you rest in peace and find comfort she has found peace with her family in heaven Vickie Rittmann Miller Portage
SW
Susan (Lackore) Wyosnick
Other •
Dear Bob and Grace's Family;
I am deeply saddened to read about Grace's recent passing in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Grace and I were classmate friends throughout our 4 years at Wisconsin Dells High School, graduating together in 1972.
My memory of Grace is that of a very caring, soft-spoken, pretty girl with a gentle and kind soul, with a cute giggle and pretty smile.
Grace was also very smart, recalling that as I struggled in pre-algebra, Grace would help me to figure out problems and would sometimes share her answers as she sat in the desk in front of me during that class....to which I owe Grace my gratitude for helping me get a passing grade.
Grace and I shared the typical high-school girls day-to-day chatter, participating in school activities, crushes on boys, the occasional disappointments, as well as the fun and laughter too. I remember how excited Grace and I were to finally get our junior class rings, as well as going out to Washington DC and New York City for our junior class trip. We had so much fun during those 4 years.
We, unfortunately, parted ways after graduation, but I remember catching up with Grace on a couple of occasions; once when she worked at First Federal Savings and Loan on State Street, I had stopped in to visit her. She was the same pleasant, sweet Grace. I also believe I had met Bob once, perhaps when they were still just boyfriend and girlfriend, but that was many years ago now.
She, I am sure was a great asset to those places she worked at.
I wish we would have kept in closer contact, as I know she would have enriched my life more with who she was as a person and as a friend.
My sincerest condolences to her husband Bob and to all of her family.
She has left this earth at a much too young age, but heaven now has received a beautiful angel. She will be missed but remembered always.
With warmest regards at this sad time,
Susan (Lackore) Wyosnick
MH
Monica Holden
Other •
I graduated with Grace from WDHS in '72. This is the smile I've remembered and was saddened to learn of her death. From time to time, we look back at our lives and remember those kind people we were blessed to have known. Grace will always be one of those people to me. With condolences to her spouse, family and friends. Monica Holden from the Class of '72