COLUMBUS
Gretchen Laemmer, 80, of Columbus, died at her home on September 17 surrounded and lifted up by the love of all who knew her. Born in Pekin, Illinois on May 10, 1941, to Harry and Winifred Hannon Grigsby, Gretchen went to high school in Washington, IL and graduated from Northwestern University in May of 1963. In September of 1963, she married John Laemmer, they had two children: Jennifer Laemmer (Mark Cheater) of Greenbelt, MD and Greg Laemmer of Bolingbrook, IL.
Gretchen and John lived in Taiwan when John was in the US Air Force. In 1968, they settled in Columbus, where John took a job with Cummins Engine. John preceded her in death in 2004.
Gretchen was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Columbus for fifty years where she was a tireless voice for peace and social justice, serving as a Deacon and Elder and on a host of committees. She and John aided a refugee family from Vietnam. She helped to initiate and foster the Hot Meals Program.
Community issues also provided an outlet for her desire to serve. She was on the founding member of the Volunteer Action Committee. She was involved in the arts, especially with Dance Workshop which brought renowned dance troupes to Columbus. One of her favorite volunteer jobs was working in the pharmacy at Volunteers in Medicine.
For many years, Gretchen worked as the Campaign Director for United Way of Bartholomew County, helping to raise money for the community.
Gretchen also loved traveling. The opportunity to experience unfamiliar cultures and meet new people took her to places like China, Egypt, Costa Rica, The Galapagos, London, Germany and the former Yugoslavia.
The backyard of her home was a haven for birds and butterflies. She loved spotting unusual bird species and reveled in the natural world. Other interests included tennis, both playing and watching, reading, and yoga. In fact, she always celebrated her birthday with a yoga move–standing on her head–even on her latest birthday, her 80th.
Gretchen was a founding member of SKIRTS, a group of local women friends who have been meeting and supporting each other for over thirty years. Her capacity for enduring friendship was one of her finest qualities.
Besides her children and numerous friends, Gretchen is survived by her brother, Mason Grigsby (Tammy) of Rancho Mirage, CA and by her beloved grandchildren, Jantha, Kittiya, Ascher, Yaso, and Johnjun Laemmer of Bolingbrook, IL. Johnjun, or J.J., known as the family’s “Swiss Army Knife,” attentively cared for Gretchen in the months preceding her death.
Gretchen will be cremated, and her ashes interred next to her husband’s in the Columbarium of First Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of her Life will take place at a later date.
Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Columbus.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
