Gretchen Joan Cutshall (Gentling), 93, of Rochester passed away surrounded by her family at Saint Marys Hospital on October 21, 2024. Gretchen was born in Rochester, MN on July 17, 1931, to Harold and Nellie (Larson) Gentling. She attended and graduated from Lourdes High School in Rochester. She married David Cutshall of Rochester in 1951. They had eight children together and were divorced in 1976.
Gretchen worked at Rochester School District at Central Middle School and Willow Creek Middle School as a cook for over 20 years before she retired in 1996. She then volunteered at The Ronald McDonald House in Rochester for 27 years where she still worked as a greeter. She also served at the Church of the Resurrection helping with funerals, events, counting, and being an amazing friend to everyone. In September of 2024, she was honored with the Bishop’s Medal in grateful acknowledgement for her dedicated, generous service to Resurrection Parish.
Her 8 children, 18 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. The love for her family was unconditional and absolute.
Gretchen loved life and had the most incredible smile and laugh. Her true passion was always taking care of others, often through her amazing cooking and baking. She enjoyed hardanger stitchery, loved playing cards, watching the Vikings and Twins, dancing, making snow angels, going on walks and adventures, being with family, and sitting down and talking to everyone she met while they became instant and life-long friends with her.
She is survived by her children Daniel (Cheryl), Cathy (Bruce), Robert (Shirley), Thomas (Mary Ellen), Bradley (Susanne), William (Tawny), Gregory (Kathleen), her 18 grandchildren, and her 14 great-grandchildren and sisters Mary and Margaret. She was preceded in death by her daughter Pamela, her parents, brothers Richard, Armand, and John.
A celebration of her life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, November 8th, 2024, at the Church of the Resurrection. A visitation will be held two hours prior to the service on Friday at the church followed by a reception.
The family would like to extend their appreciation for the care and support she received from the Mayo Clinic Hospital St Marys staff.
Memorials are suggested to The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
