Gretchen Hejtmanek

December 23, 1928 - August 13, 2011

Gretchen Hejtmanek (Dannehl) of Thornton, CO was called home to be with our Lord August 13, 2011, surrounded by family. She was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Gretchen was born to Lester and Lillie Dannehl (Koch) and graduated from high school in Bertrand, NE. On February 13, 1955, she married Dennis Hejtmanek in Milford, NE.

The family moved numerous times related to Dennis' work, including Nebraska, kansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota, before retiring to Colorado in 1986.

Gretchen enjoyed scrapbooking, news of the area where she grew up, genealogy and her home life. She treasured time with her husband, Dennis, and their family and friends.

Gretchen is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dennis, of Thornton; son Dean (Jan) of Broomfield; son Dale (Laura) of Johnstown; granddaughters Kris Maher and Lisa Fritz; seven great- granchildren; brother Rodney Dannehl of Greeley; sister Harriet Schurle of Brighton; sister Katie Johnson (Lowell) of Lincoln, NE and sister-in-law Anna Dannehl of Sparks, NV and many special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Lillie Dannehl; brother Richard Dannehl; daughter-in-law Linda Fritz; grandsons Allen and Jay Fritz and brother-in-law Darrell Schurle.

Memorial gifts may be made to Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 6770 Monaco St., Commerce City, CO 80022, or to the charity of your choice.