Gretchen M. Jewell (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Gretchen Marie Jewell, daughter of Herbert and Minnie Corwin Green, was born June 2, 1923, in Beaver, Minnesota. She departed this life Friday, November 14, 2014, in her home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-one years, five months, and thirteen days.
On July 12, 1958, she was united in marriage to Ray R. Jewell, and to this union three sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Gerald Green.
Gretchen is survived by her husband, Ray, of the home; three sons, James Jewell, and his wife, Michelle, of Egan, Minnesota, John Jewell, and Jeffery Jewell, both of La Crescent, Minnesota; a granddaughter, Bridgette Jewell, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; a sister, Donna Persons, of St. Charles, Minnesota; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the Beaver, Minnesota community, and graduated from Plainview High School. She then attended teacher’s training in St. Charles, Minnesota, and continued her education during summers and evening classes in Rochester. She eventually earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Winona State University. She began her career as a school teacher in various one-room schools and continued in that endeavor for twenty years. She and Ray made their home in Ridgeway, Minnesota for many years, and lovingly raised their sons. Gretchen taught first grade in Houston, Minnesota for twenty-three years before retiring. For the last twenty-five years, Gretchen and Ray had made their retirement home in Lebanon, Missouri.
Gretchen was an active member of South Five Church of Christ in Lebanon.
She and Ray loved to travel and had visited forty-eight of the United States and Canada. They own a miniature donkey known as “Peach” and enjoyed watching and caring for it. Gretchen loved children and liked being around people. She was an excellent homemaker and kept her home organized and tidy. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her granddaughter.
Gretchen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her ninety-one years.
Memorial donations to Fair Haven Children's Home may be made through the funeral home.
What’s your fondest memory of Gretchen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gretchen?
Share a story where Gretchen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gretchen you’ll never forget.
How did Gretchen make you smile?
