Gretchen Ann Chase
August 14, 2013
Gretchen Ann Chase, 79, died Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at Kavanagh House. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Gretchen was born on November 8, 1933 in Davis City, Iowa to Mabel (Myers) and Loris Stoneburner. She graduated from Leon High School. While working at Ardan’s she met Jack Chase. They were married in 1960 after a brief courtship. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2010. The couple followed Jack’s career to various Iowa cities including Fairfield, Cedar Falls, Traer and Des Moines.
Gretchen enjoyed baking, gardening, her family, and her faithful dog, Tag. She was a member of Traer Presbyterian Church. After her husband, Jack’s death in 2010, Gretchen made many new friends at Windsor Place playing dominoes and going out for lunches.
She is survived by her children, Nancy (Jeff) Stroburg, Shery (Terry Lint) Chase, Jacky (Lee) Garrett, Cathy DeReus, Tom (Penny) Chase; grandchildren, Jake (Kelly), Josh, Emily (Brandon Ballegeer), and Cheli Stroburg, Elliott (Kate), and Jordan Florer, Bailey (Phil Martinez) DeReus and Allison (Nick) Neese, Abbie, Steven and John Chase; seven great-grandchildren and one on the way; and her sister, Kaye Stevens. Gretchen was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Chase; her parents; sister, Sharon Eckstrom; and her brother, Fred Stoneburner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Kavanagh House Hospice, 900 56th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 or to The Humane Society of Indianola (Kiya Koda), 1206 N. Jefferson Way, Indianola, IA 50125. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Donald Maas
08/25/2013
I am so sorry to hear about Gretchen's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family as you go thru this difficult time.
Brian Bloem
08/22/2013
I am so sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of Gretchen from all the time I spent at your family's home in my teens. She was always very welcoming.
Kimberly, Scott, Mike & Derion
08/22/2013
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Our prayers are with you.
The Hendersons
08/20/2013
We are so sorry for the loss of your wonderful mother. She was such a neat person to have known!
Carri Holst
08/19/2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to Gretchen's family. She and Jack are truly missed at UPC in Traer. May your memories help you through the sadness.
John and Marcy Bloem
08/19/2013
We were sorry to hear about Gretchen's death. Your family is in our prayers.
Vicki Payne
08/18/2013
May God wrap your family in his arms and comfort you as you go thru this difficult time .Thoughts and prayers to all the family.We really missed Gretchen and Jack when they moved to be closer to family. They were such a big part of our
church family at UPC. They are now together with our Lord.