Gretchen Ann Hemenway

Gretchen Ann Gehrke Kernen Hemenway has been welcomed into Heaven by her beloved angels—both nice and naughty — where she will no doubt strive to divide her time between the two.

Gretchen was born in Sheboygan on September 18, 1940, to George and Gertrude Gehrke, and spent her childhood growing up in Kohler. At the age of 15, after advancing to State as an orator, she was nominated to give the Memorial Day address—an experience which sparked her lifelong love of meeting people from all walks of life. She sewed her own sailor dress in her Home Economics class for the special day and would later sew most of her young children’s clothing and Halloween costumes.

Gretchen was also elected Polio Queen and traveled throughout Wisconsin promoting the new Salk polio vaccine and highlighting the Polio Pioneers children of Wisconsin. Gretchen’s first job was at the Kohler Company, where she typed a mean 80 words per minute and had the fastest shorthand in the Village – A skill she used throughout her life.

As a cheerleader for Kohler High School—who proudly “could do the splits” well into her life as a mom of teenagers—she met and married the star football player from Sheboygan Central, Lee Kernen. Together they had two children, Kellylee Kernen and Shad Kernen. Gretchen absolutely loved being a mom! They didn’t have much money, but she gave her kids Magical Christmases, family traditions, outdoor experiences over things and Love that made ordinary days feel extraordinary. She loved dancing, especially the jitterbug, and was quite the bowler! Gretchen cherished the outdoors—ice skating on rivers and ponds, and on the rink the family built together in the backyard; boating and hiking; fishing and ice fishing, hunting, morel mushroom gathering, and tending her gardens through the changing seasons. Gretchen was always very involved with her churches. She welcomed everyone with open arms, and her home always became the hub where kids and adults flocked.

She prepared family meals worthy of a five-star kitchen and expressed her love through creations both practical and beautiful. Her limitless creativity eventually blossomed into people calling her “the Flower Lady,” a life spent arranging beauty—working in flower shops across Wisconsin and designing wedding flowers through her own business—bringing color and joy wherever her hands touched. Flower arranging is where she met her lifelong friend, Jane, who survives Gretchen.

The middle years of Gretchen’s life were enriched by grandchildren as well as step-grandchildren when she married Charles “Chuck” Hemenway of Sun Prairie. Gretchen never missed a hockey game, volleyball match, baseball or softball game, track meet, school award, performance, religious milestone, babysitting opportunity, or a graduation. She showed up—always—with love, pride, and unwavering devotion and “Grandma-bragged” constantly to everyone and anyone. Having some grandchildren living out of state was difficult for Gretchen, but she found joy in following the travels of her Sorbonne granddaughter, often calling herself a homebody who would get to travel the world through her granddaughter’s magnificent experiences. Gretchen frequently remarked how she wished social media and digital photos had arrived earlier, so she could have shared in even more moments from afar.

Chuck was an avid golfer, and there she discovered her true favorite sport. Gretchen excelled at the game and loved playing, practicing, or watching golf. She liked to remind her Florida grandson—now quite the golfer himself—that it was she who first put a club in his hands.

Gretchen worked full-time at Kohl’s for over 20 years and became a second grandma to many of her younger colleagues. She cherished her Kohl’s friendships and absolutely loved going to work because of her awesome colleagues and bosses. It was at Kohl’s where she met her beloved friend Rita. Rita predeceased Gretchen, and she dearly missed her, spoke of her often, and always kept Rita in her heart. Now, Gretchen and “Rita-beeta” are reunited once again.

Over the years, Gretchen’s heart and home were joyfully shared with a wonderfully memorable menagerie of pets: Fluffy, Snowball, Puffball, Belle, Shad, Cedar, Hooker, Thumper, Samantha, Olt, Newt, Mortimore, Sniffles, Spot, Tigger, Khia, Neptune, Woodsy-Bumble, Quickstart, and Cocoa I, II, and III.

Gretchen adored her nieces and nephews. She felt so proud and deeply blessed to be woven into their everyday moments as well as their biggest milestones. Gretchen treasured living so close to Lisa (sister Karen’s daughter). Her special Lisa delivered oh-so-many care packages, delicious home-cooked meals, lunch and movie dates, and fun afternoons wandering craft shows together. Gretchen beamed at Lisa’s flute concerts, delighted in family celebrations, and proudly followed every one of her great-nephews’ and great-nieces’ wonderful achievements. Being “Aunt Gretchen” was one of her greatest joys. And when Gretchen spent her final years at her nursing home in Algoma, her nephew, John, (sister Julie’s son) made the long trek from Illinois countless times, always with windmill cookies and a musical instrument in hand, to visit, sing with and perform for his Aunt Gretchen and the other residents. John brought photos and sat with her for hours, gently revisiting childhood songs and cherished memories from the past. Though Gretchen’s short-term memory was fading, she never forgot John’s visits or the joy they brought her. When someone would ask, “What instrument did John bring this time?” she’d grin and reply, “His guitar or some really big horn I can’t remember the name of, but it was cool!” In recent years, Aunt Gretchen may not have remembered every detail, but she always remembered the love from her nieces and nephews.

Gretchen so appreciated the phone calls, Facebook sharing, and online connections that kept her close to those she loved over the years. She especially treasured Zoom visits with her great-grandsons—listening to stories about their school days and delighting in the moments when any day felt like the perfect day to sing Christmas carols together. She often said her youngest great-grandson looked just like her, and she loved seeing his profile on the screen—something he delighted in showing her. Gretchen was deeply grateful for the time, generosity, and connection others shared so freely online with her. She found great joy in staying connected to family and friends, taking immense pride in watching their sports and concerts, and celebrating each accomplishment with them, no matter the distance.

In the final chapter of her adventures, Gretchen’s story circled back to a wonderful man from her days in Green Bay, Rick, who, in Gretchen’s words with a twinkle in her eye and googly-eyed admiration, described him as incredibly handsome, honorable, and dashing! He became the love of her life, and she carried that love with deep gratitude. She often spoke of how lucky she felt that Rick opened his heart to her, and how blessed she was to hold a piece of his heart within her own.

With Rick, Gretchen got her first passport and she planned on traveling the world with him. Together, they drove P.J. (Jeep spelled backward) across the country and up and down the West Coast. They spent an entire month sailing the seas. Gretchen took Rick golfing. Rick spoiled her endlessly. They were deeply, joyfully in love.

Then, in a heartbreaking turn of events, everything changed. Gretchen’s shoe caught on her suitcase, causing her to fall, sustaining serious injuries. Though she worked tirelessly to walk again, she never fully regained her balance or core strength. Mini-strokes followed, along with additional falls that led to further injuries. Eventually, Gretchen was forced to become non-weightbearing.

Even so, she never lost her sense of humor, her kindness for others, or sharing her wisdom as well as her groaners. She encouraged her friends and family to stay active—especially through exercises like Silver-lates, which she “so muchly enjoyed” doing weekly online with Rikki—keeping them steady on their feet and out of trouble well into their golden years.

Through it all, Rick became the most devoted and dedicated caregiver one could imagine. He put thousands of miles on P.J.—not traveling the country anymore, but by making countless trips between home, rehab centers, doctors’ offices, hospitals and eventually the nursing home in Algoma. Gretchen never faced a single appointment alone. Rick was by her side every step of the way, and she loved him with every ounce of her being.

Gretchen lost her mother when she was only nine years old. She often said she was blessed to have had two moms, Gertrude and Louise, both of whom she loved dearly. Gertrude’s funeral was a very traumatic experience for Gretchen, and because of that, she vowed never to have a funeral for herself. She wants to be remembered as you knew her—“alive and kickin’”—now an angel who will watch over you with all her love. Gretchen was most proud of her “coffees” — the simple gatherings she arranged for all sorts of peeps over the years. So grab some family, friends, neighbors, or even a stranger. Sit down. Talk. Laugh. Share. Raise a cup of coffee for Gretchen. And when you need a little extra love or support — or that extra piece of cake — know that Angel Gretchen will be right by your side. 💛

Gretchen was predeceased by her sister, Karen Parnitzke, who had put her young life on hold to look out for her two younger sisters after their mother’s passing, becoming Gretchen’s lifelong friend and confidante. Gretchen was also preceded in death by her sister Julie Schuman and Julie’s beloved husband, Glen Schuman, whose deep faith and unwavering love and support meant so much to her. Gretchen was further predeceased by her nephew, Mark Schuman, who passed too young; Mark and Gretchen shared a love of Door County, and she and Rick so appreciated Mark’s visits. Gretchen was also preceded in death by Dean Voskuil, gone too soon, the beloved husband of her loving niece, Susan. She shared with Dean a love of bird dogs and the outdoors, and always enjoyed hearing about his “man cave.”

Gretchen will be laid to rest beside her mother, Gertrude, at Woodland Cemetery in Kohler during a private service. Now, she rests peacefully in Heaven, reunited with her Mommy, whom she missed so much as a little girl.

Kel and Shad felt that Gretchen was “the bestest mom in the whole wide world,” loved with all our hearts and missed beyond words. We will plan a celebration of her life in the warmer months and look forward to sharing that time with you.

In lieu of flowers, Gretchen’s family kindly suggests that gift cards or donations be made to support the Activity Fund at Amethyst Health Nursing Home in Algoma, to be used at the discretion of their incredible director, Shannon. She ensures that residents enjoy creative, engaging, and fulfilling lives, offering a wide range of daily and special activities—from holiday celebrations and games to crafts, cooking, visits with butterflies, and even animated therapy pets. Shannon gives so much of herself to others, as Gretchen did throughout her life. Gretchen’s family is deeply grateful for the entire staff at Amethyst Health. From the medical teams to the office and housekeeping staff, each person is kind, compassionate, and a true example of humanity at its best. Their unwavering kindness, expertise, communication, and dedication to caring for people during some of the most vulnerable and lonely times in life meant so much to Gretchen and to all of us. Our family would be deeply honored if Gretchen’s legacy could help bring joy and enrichment to the current and future residents and staff of Amethyst Health in Algoma.