ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Gretchen Portsche, 85 years old, born on March 9, 1928, and passed away on November 11, 2013. We will remember her forever.
March 9, 2023
March 9, 2023
We still miss you terribly, but we take some comfort in knowing you have Karen with you now.
We treasure our memories of years past.
March 9, 2019
March 9, 2019
It's hard to believe it's been more than 5 years without you. You are missed every day. Your legacy carries on in great great grandchildren and another great grandson arriving any day now. We hoped he might share your birthday, but it will be close. Love you always.
March 10, 2018
March 10, 2018
Your influence continues to guide us. Your love for us is still felt. Missing you always.
November 11, 2017
November 11, 2017
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us". Helen Keller. You were akways so kind to my boys during violin lessons. We always looked firward to visiting with you when you came to Mesa. Times never forgotten.
March 9, 2016
March 9, 2016
Happy Birthday Gretchen! I wish we could be sitting around the dining table singing to you. You were a beautiful woman.
March 10, 2015
March 10, 2015
I have so many good memories of a smiling Gretchen .  From the time I first met her and Vern in Salt Lake until the last time I saw her many years later I always found her to be loving and kind .  What a wonderful sister in law she was !
March 9, 2015
March 9, 2015
Happy birthday Gretchen. I think about you every day. Rest in peace with Vern. I love you both.
March 9, 2014
March 9, 2014
Thinking of Mom today on her birthday. Missed so very much.
November 28, 2013
November 28, 2013
There are so many things I will miss, the constant stream of fresh baked goods, or getting the giggles over something that isn't even that funny and having that turn into uncontrollable side-splitting laughter, but what I will miss the most are the conversations. Any idea, or problem, or just simple advice she would approach with such kindness, understanding, humor and Love.
November 22, 2013
November 22, 2013
To the best grandma. You were so kind and generous. I learned so much from you. Also, you were the only person I knew that could out-shop me! I will miss our marathon visits to the mall, baking, sketching pictures, playing cards, and chatting while eating sweets(almost always chocolate, of course).
November 21, 2013
November 21, 2013
I have known and loved Gretchen as a mother for 38 years. She was always so kind, loving, and accepting that I am afraid that I took her caring nature for granted and didn't let her know how much I loved and appreciated her. I had many chances to express those feelings, but I let the moments pass idly by. I tried to make up for those shortcomings in the final years of her life by expressing my affection during a time when I wasn't sure if these belated offerings of gratitude could even be understood. I would only have wanted her to feel in some small way what a treasured and beloved woman she will always be to us all.
November 20, 2013
November 20, 2013
Wishing all the family the comfort and peace from the Holy Spirit. I know Gretchen through her wonderful family!
November 20, 2013
November 20, 2013
The immediate family was asked to provide a word to describe Gretchen. Their words are a wonderful description of a remarkable woman. Some couldn't use just on word. They are:
Artist, Persistent, Caring, Hospitable, Cookies, Dear, Benevolent, Kind & Forgiving, Musician, Sweet, Beloved & Gracious & Tenderhearted, Comfort, and Nurturing.
November 18, 2013
November 18, 2013
grandma was the best person i have ever met brcause she was caring and when ever you needed somthing all you had to do was ask her and she was caring im goingto miss her alot love ya grandma..:)

love you lot Michaela<3
November 18, 2013
November 18, 2013
My grandma was the best grandma anyone could ask, she was caring, and was always the one you could run too when you needed help. Im going to miss her alot!
      Love you Grandma(: Amy!<3
November 18, 2013
November 18, 2013
Cathy asked for words to describe Grandma. I said cookies. I chose this word not only because she made the best, but because for me it symbolizes the warmth and love that she always showed. Sitting on Grandmas lap sharing a fresh, warm cookie with her loving arms around me will always be the best memory. I love you Grandma.
November 18, 2013
November 18, 2013
Aunt Gret had the most beautiful, non-judgemental, kind, warm and loving spirit I have known. She was a true nurturer and I am blessed beyond measure to have known and loved her. I know I will hear her laugh in my heart frequently. Especially when I am around Cathy. She has her mother's laugh :-) Love to you, my dear family.  Terrie
November 17, 2013
November 17, 2013
My brother Matthew and I would drive through Boise on our way to weiser, Idaho almost every summer, and on several occasions gretchen and Vernon opened their home to us and gave us a place to spend the night and eat a hot meal. I will remember Gretchen as a very kind and welcoming person, and we will miss her.
November 17, 2013
November 17, 2013
We never had an opportunity to meet Gretchen, but the tributes written here are clearly show she was a warm and loving Mom, Aunt, Grandma, Sister and friend. The kind of person we should all aspire to be. Our thoughts are with her family and friends. Cindy & Bob Cooper/Peoria Arizona
November 16, 2013
November 16, 2013
My favorite utterance: "Aunt Gret". How cool is that. When I was a boy, around my birthday, I would check the mail every day knowing there would be a birthday card from Aunt Gret and Uncle Vern with a crisp dollar bill inside; and a note written by Aunt Gret in that handwriting that was uniquely hers. Great family, great memories.
November 16, 2013
November 16, 2013
God bless you all during this memorial time. Your mom and grandma left a loving legacy in your lives.
November 16, 2013
November 16, 2013
So much love. So much kindness. So much warmth. Aunt Gret was also funny. She made me laugh. She is missed.
November 15, 2013
November 15, 2013
I miss you very much. Thank you for all the things you did for me.
You were the best great grandma ever!
November 15, 2013
November 15, 2013
Goodbye Grandma,
I miss your voice & I miss your smile.
Your warm hugs, gentle words and kind heart.
Thank you for all of the wonderful memories
November 15, 2013
November 15, 2013
One Very Nice Lady. I liked her the very first time I met her.
Hugs to all from Medford.
November 15, 2013
November 15, 2013
Gretchen was the best sister-in-law anyone could wish for. Always cheerful, helpful and we sisters were soooo happy our brother found such a great wife. She will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.
November 14, 2013
November 14, 2013
In tribute to my Mom, Gretchen, who was the kindest, sweetest person. The best Mom anyone could wish for.

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Recent Tributes
March 9, 2023
March 9, 2023
We still miss you terribly, but we take some comfort in knowing you have Karen with you now.
We treasure our memories of years past.
March 9, 2019
March 9, 2019
It's hard to believe it's been more than 5 years without you. You are missed every day. Your legacy carries on in great great grandchildren and another great grandson arriving any day now. We hoped he might share your birthday, but it will be close. Love you always.
March 10, 2018
March 10, 2018
Your influence continues to guide us. Your love for us is still felt. Missing you always.
Recent stories
November 15, 2013

In my memory, Cathy's mother Gretchen was warm, cheerful, and ever smiling a beautiful smile. She was so welcoming and friendly, she made me feel that I had known her all my life. She was a generous, loving mother, always supportive of her children and their families.

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