Gretchen A. Ebel

Gretchen Ebel passed away on April 15, 2015. She was born to Arthur and Maude Marshall on August 16, 1920 in Omaha. She graduated from North High School in 1938 and the University of Nebraska in 1943 with a journalism degree. Gretchen was employed in Denver until her marriage to Victor Ebel on June 29, 1946.

They lived and farmed in Kimball, Nebraska. After their children were older, Gretchen used her journalism degree and worked for 16 years as a writer for the Western Nebraska Observer newspaper in Kimball. She was a charter member of the Kimball branch of AAUW and Nebraska Press Women’s Association where she won several state writing awards. She was also active in the Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder.

In 1983, they retired and moved to be closer to their family in Colorado. Gretchen was active in Newcomers Club, Kiwanis Golden Girls and loved to play bridge. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Aspen Club.

Gretchen is survived by her husband of 68 years and their three children; Susan (Dennis) Larson and JoAnn Paille of Fort Collins and Stan (Dianne) Ebel of Loveland. She is survived by 6 grandchildren (Victoria Lee, Fort Collins; Brett (Stacy) Lee, Boise; Amy (Brandon) Cathey, Denver; Nathan (Courtenay) Ebel, Alexandria, VA; Kyle Ebel, Loveland; and Jeff (Ariadne) Ebel, Toledo, OH. She is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Many of her surviving relatives came to Fort Collins last August to honor her and celebrate her 94th birthday. Her parents and siblings (Walter, Donald and Elizabeth) as well as a great-grandson, Coleman Boutte, preceded her in death.

The family would like to thank each of the caring staff members at the Spring Creek Rehab Center as well as Clare Bridge and Sterling House. We will always remember the kindness shown to Gretchen.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 21 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Collins with a reception following at the Larson home. Contributions in Gretchen’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 531 South College Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524.