Gretchen Elizabeth Rademacher

Gretchen Rademacher April 1933 - March 12, 2016 Gretchen Elizabeth (Brooks) Schaefer Rademacher passed away peacefully, Saturday March 12, 2016, surrounded by her children. Gretchen was born to Ira and Betty (Kramer) Brooks in Portland, Oregon, in April 1933. She was raised in Van Nuys, Calif., attending Corvallis Catholic High School. In February 1954, she married her sweetheart, Fred Schaefer. She graduated from Los Angeles County General Hospital, School of Nursing in 1954. They had three sons before Fred passed away in 1959. On November 3, 1960, she was united in marriage to Bernard "Buzz" Rademacher at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Settling in San Luis Obispo, they added three more children to their family. Gretchen was a dedicated mother, loved gardening, participated in Nurse Studies, volunteered - especially at Old Mission Thrift Shop and enjoyed collecting antiques for a shop she shared with her sister, Beebe. Never one to turn down a trip, she even backpacked the John Muir Trail five months pregnant. A devoted wife for 54 years, Gretchen and Buzz truly loved to travel, spending their long retirement driving highways all over the U.S., visiting family and enjoying each other's company. When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, she proudly answered that it was raising six happy, successful children. She enjoyed being Grandma to her 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Gretchen truly lived her faith, with a radiant smile, she was always ready to lend an ear or hand. She graciously appreciated those who cared for her in these last years, particularly her son Chris who made daily visits for long conversations. She now joins her beloved "Buzzy" who she had missed so much these past six months. She is survived by his brother Nobert Brooks and her sister Beatrice LaBarr and her children: Steve and his wife Sandy; Chris and his wife Sharon; Paul and his wife Terri; Ted, Heidi and her husband Hideki and Jill and her husband Rob; as well as fourteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was tremendously loved by many and will be deeply missed. Mom, we love and miss you, dearly! Family and Friends are invited to a Visitation and vigil service Monday, March 21, 2016, at 5:00pm at Reis Family Mortuary in San Luis Obispo. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, March 22 at 2:00pm at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and interment will follow at Old Mission Cemetery.

Gretchen Elizabeth Rademacher

April 10, 1933 - March 12, 2016