GRETCHEN SARA Beloved wife, mom to many, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend passed away peacefully and with her family at her side on Thursday, September 8, 2011. Gretchen lived well and shared her love with many. Those who knew her were blessed with her unfailing kindness and compassion, her generosity of heart and hand, her contagious laughter and irrepressible spirit. Gretchen was born on September 6, 1937 in Long Prairie, Minnesota and at a very young age, she moved to Albuquerque with her family. Outside of a short move to Phoenix, Arizona, Gretchen spent the remainder of her life in New Mexico. She graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1955. While attending Albuquerque High, she met the love of her life and in 1956 she married Don D. Mulder. They were blessed with 55 wonderful years of marriage. Gretchen was employed by Presbyterian Hospital for 33 years and prior to her retirement, worked as the system wide Director of Patient Account Services. She was very proud to be a part of Presbyterian and loved her work family dearly. After retirement, Gretchen became a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Watermelon Mountain Ranch. These volunteer opportunities deeply satisfied her love for her community, her elders and her animals. She was active in her church, Redeemer Lutheran and enjoyed her work and outreach through her participation in the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Gretchen enjoyed traveling with her husband, laughing with her grandchildren, spending time at their beautiful labor of love in Chama, photography and the outdoors. She is survived by her loving husband, Don D. Mulder; daughter, Shawn Powell and husband Cliff; son, Don Dell Mulder, Jr. and wife Anne; daughter, Kristy Tokarski, husband Doug and granddaughter Riley Wittler; granddaughter, Selena Shepherd, husband Scott and great-grandchildren, Brea, Tyler and Cody; grandson, Joshua Mulder, wife Angelic and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jeremiah and Ariel; grandson, Chad Mulder. She is also survived by many loving nieces, grandnieces and nephews, a multitude of friends and her loving caretaker and friend, Shelby Duffy. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Kaseman Hospice. Your care and compassion for Gretchen and her family will be held dear. A service celebrating Gretchen's life will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at 2:15 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kaseman Hospice, Meals on Wheels or Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Gretchen's care has been entrusted to: Direct Funeral Services 2919 4th Street Northwest Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107.
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