Gretchen H. Berger

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Gretchen, our loving and devoted mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on January 16, 2021.   She left us peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family.   Beloved mother of Kenneth (Deborah) Berger and Janet (Phillip) Levine.   Proud grandmother of Volker, Jared, Christina,  Sarah and Maya.   Loved by sister, Karen (Tom) Sullivan and many cousins, nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her loyal husband, Tom; her brother, Donald; and parents, George and Helen (nee Weyh) Wachholz. Gretchen left home for Rochester at age 18, where she worked for the Mayo Clinic and IBM.  She spent her free time bowling with friends. This hobby led her to meet Tom Berger through family and friends.  They met in April 1960 and married in November of the same year. They spent the next 59 years together, raising their family, enjoying frequent lunches, general mischief with Jan, taking trips up north and watching football with Ken.  She loved family gatherings and hosting parties.   She is now probably enjoying all of the popcorn and margaritas she can find with the people she had lost.Gretchen was a loving, devoted mother who will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. Memorial service at a later date so we can celebrate her life in style.  Also survived by estranged son John and family.