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Gretchen Walker
- Published: December 17, 2009
Gretchen Walker died with her family by her side at Friends Care Center on Sunday, Dec. 13. She was 78.
Born Gretchen Ann Baumgardner on March 14, 1931 to Luther and Myrtle Baumgardner in Cleveland, she was the older of two children. After graduating from Cleveland Heights High School, she received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a masters degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University.
Gretchen was introduced to John Benjamin Walker Jr. by their respective parents. They decided that their parents had the right idea and eloped. After living in Dayton and attending shows at the Antioch amphitheater, they decided to move to Yellow Springs in 1960 to raise a family. Later, they joined the First Presbyterian Church and remained lifelong members.
While Gretchen worked as a social worker and substitute teacher in Dayton and Springfield, her primary role was as a caretaker for her family.
Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John. She is survived by her sons Brian and Todd, both of Yellow Springs, grandson David of Yellow Springs, sister Jane (Baumgardner) Savoy of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and various nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends Care Center or Hospice of Dayton.
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