Gretchen Locker

Gretchen Wiseman Locker died on September 24, 2022, in Grinnell, Iowa, at the age of 95. Gretchen was born on September 21, 1927, the daughter of Will and Zula Wiseman in Grinnell, Iowa. She married Dale Locker in Jasper County, Iowa, on April 19, 1946. Dale passed away on December 3, 2003. Gretchen graduated from Gilman High School and attended Cornell College. She taught school for a short time In Gilman and later worked as a nurse aide in Dr. Wiltfang's office in Grinnell. As a lifelong member of the Gilman Methodist Church, she held several offices, taught Sunday School, Bible School and was choir director. She was a member of the Good Neighbor Club, Tuesday Progress Club, Today and Tomorrow Club and the United Methodist Women. Gretchen and Dale farmed two miles east of Gilman. Gretchen's greatest joy was family life on the farm and raising her children. The family enjoyed yearly visits to Leech Lake, Minnesota, and later vacationed in Florida and Arizona. Gretchen is survived by four children, Steve (Deb) Locker of Nevada, Iowa, Jeri Lynn (Richard) Ryan of Atlantic, Iowa, Carol Locker of Carol Stream, Illinois, and Margaret (Chris) Draffen of Northville, New York; five grandchildren, Dustin (Erin) Achenbach of Tabor, Iowa, Jon (Ali) Locker of Johnston, Iowa, Will (Nella) Locker of Des Moines, Iowa, Emily (Stephen Garrett) Draffen of Memphis, Tennessee, and Sarah (Pedro Carbajal) Draffen of Chicago, Illinois; four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Dorothy Wiseman and Barbara Campbell; several nieces and nephews; and dear friend Jerry Stanton of Hopkins, Minnesota. Gretchen was preceded in death by her spouse, Dale Locker, infant daughter Portia Diane, her parents, brothers Herb and Bill Wiseman, and sister Flora Rosenberg. Funeral services and luncheon at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa. Interment in Prairie View Cemetery in Gilman, Iowa. Memorials may be made to UnityPoint Hospice of Grinnell, St. Francis Manor Foundation (Human Needs Fund), or the charity of your choice. Source: Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell, Iowa