Gretchen M. Courtney, 92
Gretchen M. Courtney, age 92 of New Hampton and formerly of Nashua, was called home to be with God unexpectedly from a cardiac event on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at St. John Lutheran Church in Nashua, with private family interment at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua to follow. There will be a lunch served at the church following the funeral. Masks are requested following COVID protocol.
Friends greeted the family at the visitation Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, at Hugeback -Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton from 4 to 7 p.m., and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church before the funeral on Thursday.
Online condolences for Gretchen’s family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.
Gretchen Marie Courtney was born on January 15, 1929, at just 4 pounds, 10 ounces at Hershey Hospital in Muscatine to Fred and Edith (Witte) Guenther.
Gretchen was a 1947 graduate of Muscatine High School and worked for the Telephone Company following graduation.
On Aug. 14, 1949, Gretchen married Charles J. Courtney. The couple started their family in Muscatine in 1955 and the family grew to include five children.
Chuck’s employment took the family to Ellsworth in 1965 and then to Postville until 1977. Moving to Nashua in 1977, they bought an IGA grocery store and owned it until 1987. Gretchen having been a mother and homemaker, added grocery clerk to her title at that time.
When the store closed, she began working at the Nashua Pharmacy. Gretchen also worked for Kwik Star when her son, David, was the manager helps make the donuts.
In 2013, Gretchen moved to New Hampton to live next door to her daughter Deb. Gretchen became Deb’s receptionist and right-hand helper at her hair salon where she grew to know many people in New Hampton. She became part of the community — playing cards with the St. Joe’s 500 group and Bingo at the Knights of Columbus on Thursday evenings. This move also enabled Gretchen to still be a part of her R.E.S.T Club and Nashua Women’s Club. She enjoyed the friendships of these people very much.
Gretchen deemed her greatest accomplishment as her family, and they were a great source of pride to her. Gretchen loved going to all her children’s, grandchildren’s, and even great grandchildren’s events and programs. She was always young in heart and young in mind even as she grew older.
She loved going to Florida spring training baseball games and watching her St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. She enjoyed her trips tailgating and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes football games, and Iowa basketball games.
Gretchen enjoyed her spring vacations in Florida with her daughters and their husbands, her spring flower shopping with her son and wife, her fireworks on the Fourth of July in the convertible, her trips to Gays Mills Apple Orchard, and basically where ever the car would take her. She loved to shop, fish, golf and play cards.
Gretchen golfed league at the Nashua Town and County Club. In her last game of golf at the age of 90, she shot a 56.
Gretchen had a love for all animals — especially her dog Kacia and taking care of grand pups.
Always wanting to learn more, Gretchen learned to use a computer, an iPad, an Apple phone, an Apple Watch and even a smart TV. It occupied her time especially when COVID came and her travels became more limited. She had Facebook, Face-timed, and played golf on the iPad.
Reading, knitting all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s baby blankets, crocheting, sewing, and doing many puzzles were also a great use of her time. Gretchen loved watching Mollie B’s Pokka Party, and the Price is Right.
Gretchen is survived by her five children, Sue Ellen (Dr. Gordon) Johnson of Bettendorf, Charles Douglas (Nina) Courtney of Richmond, Missouri, Lori (Bruce) Meyer of North Liberty Debra (Marty) Larsen of New Hampton, and David (Holly) Courtney of Waterloo; 13 grandchildren; and soon to be 22 great-grandchildren.
Gretchen is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Edith (Witte) Guenther; her husband Charles J. Courtney; brother-in-law Cecil Courtney; brother-in-law Harold Courtney, a sister-in-law, Fern Courtney; and niece, Marylou Courtney.
With never an unkind word said, Gretchen will be missed by many.
