Gretchen Oines

Gretchen Oines

July 10, 1951 - January 23, 2025

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Obituary

MOUNT HOREB, Wis. - Gretchen Marie (Dierks) Oines, age 73, of Mount Horeb, formerly of Wauzeka, Wis., passed away in her sleep on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Gretchen was born on July 10, 1951, and grew up traveling from coast to coast with her parents, William and Doris (Vetter) Dierks, and twin brothers.


After her father retired from the U.S. Navy, the family settled in the Seattle area when Gretchen was a teenager. She spent her free time exploring the wilderness, making it to every national park west of the Missouri River with her family.


Gretchen graduated from Mercer Island High School in 1969 and the University of Washington in 1973. She first worked as a community organizer with VISTA in urban Detroit, followed by an office job in the remote Lutheran retreat center of Holden Village in the Cascade Wilderness. There she met her future husband, Joel, who arrived to work as a carpenter. They were married within the year and bought a house in Clear Lake, Iowa.


After finishing their degrees, they returned to Holden Village, Gretchen as nurse and staff coordinator, Joel as Lutheran pastor. Their son, Micah, was born, and they moved back to the Midwest where Gretchen began her long nursing career at the hospital in Boscobel, Wis. They settled in the nearby town of Wauzeka, where Joel found work as a pastor. Their second son, Samuel, was born, and they lived in Wauzeka for the next 30 years.


Between night shifts at the hospital, Gretchen enjoyed gardening, reading mystery novels, listening to the radio with her tea, and watching movies. She loved spending time with her sons, who loved to make her laugh. Later in life she loved holding her grandsons, which she could do with infinite patience and serenity.


Gretchen is survived by her husband, Joel; her sons, Micah (Kristin) and Sam Oines; and grandsons, Aaron and Ethan Oines. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Dave and Dan Dierks.


A memorial service will be held at VERMONT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. A luncheon will follow at the church. If you plan on attending, please reach out to Joel or the family.


A special thank you to the entire staff at Azura Memory Care in Stoughton. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth St.

Mount Horeb, WI 53572

(608) 437-5077




Events

10
Memorial Service
Thu Jul 10, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Vermont Lutheran Church • 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth, WI 53515
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10
Luncheon After Service
Thu Jul 10, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Vermont Lutheran Church • 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth, WI 53515
Get Directions

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Memories

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Gretchen
JD
JoDena Dittman
Other •
The Oines Family is so very dear to my heart. Lots of memories are stored there with them sharing some of the best ones. Gretchen was beautiful inside as well as outside. Her smile and gentle laugh were uplifting; her voice was always soft and sweet. We had annual summer picnics with another couple - a reunion of sorts. She made a great 'green' salad that got me to not dislike avocados so much. It was a blessing to see the glow in Gretchen's eyes as she watched their sons grow up and move forward in life. She and her husband were a very loving couple; we missed them when they moved from Wauzeka to Mt. Horeb but rejoiced that they could spend more time with family there. As you walk with Jesus, Gretchen, look down upon all of us who will always love you. Until we meet again, dear friend....
SS
Susan Starkey
Other •
I worked the night shift with Gretchen for many years. An excellent nurse, always calm and willing to share a laugh. Bless you Gretchen you are an angel now.
GN
Greg Nicholas
Other •
Joel, On behalf of the Nicholas family, I want to express our sympathy on the passing of your wife. I did not know her but trust that she was a gem, knowing that she was part of your family. We all have so may great memories of our family times together so many years ago in Clear Lake-and I know that my parents considered your folks at the very top of couples they enjoyed special times with. I remember Peggy as such an independent soul who always had an impish smile on her face and of course I saw Allan nearly every time I went to the village—and he even chased turkeys with us one summer at the farm! Dad passed in 2021 and Mom will celebrate her 97th birthday in May. We have 3 kids and 7 grandkids all of whom live in Clear so we are blessed. I pray that God will bless you and keep you, that He will make His very face to shine upon you and be gracious to you as you grieve the loss of your wife—and pray that He will give you a peace that passes all understanding. Greg Nicholas
KC
Kevin Copus
Other •
I knew Gretchen from her time as a nurse at the hospital in Boscobel when I worked as a Police Officer for the City of Boscobel. Gretchen was always calm even in the middle of chaos she remained that way, which was an incredible trait to have and made her a great nurse. Rest easy Gretchen. My sympathy goes out to her family.
MB
Mary Bartels
Other •
I worked with Gretchen for many years if Boscobel Hospital. I even assisted with the birth of her son Sam. I loved working with Gretchen. I looked forward to see what new word and its meaning that Gretchen would bring in for us all to learn. I still remember the first word she brought in was “plethora”. Every time I use that word or heard that word over the last several years, it always reminded me of Gretchen. She was a great nurse, mentor, teacher, listener, and friend. she will be missed.
MB
Mary Bartels
Other •
Youre with God now! Rest in peace. I enjoyed having you in my life.

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