Gretchen Mahre

Gretchen A Mahre passed away at Home on February 5, 2015, with her dogs by her side. She was a very spiritual person, but not organized religion, because she felt religions were the cause of many world problems. (Well, now she knows the answer, and the rest of us will have to wait.) Gretchen was a graduate of Oregon Institute of Technology, in Klamath Falls. She has a Bachlor’s of Science degree from Portland State University. While working X-ray at the VA Hospital in Portland she decided she wanted to be more flexible, working in Emergency Clinics in Yakima, Seattle, and Alaska. As the tiny Irish German she was born to be, she loved to dance and party. However, she fell victim to alcoholic depression at times. Animals have always been a part of her life. Horses have always been her joy, as a kid in parades, and checking cherry pickers on horseback, not always content to sit down, she would ride standing up. In her adult life, she enjoyed horse racing, and of course, betting on the long shots, and frankly, quite good at it. We called her Dr. Doolittle, for dogs and cats followed her around, and as a devoted animal friend and rescuer, she always spayed and neutered her pets, plus giving them vaccinations. Gretchen returned from Alaska four years ago to care for her parents, Helen and Fred Mahre, and her second chosen mother and friend, Beverly Ogburn, and Bev’s cats. Gretchen took pride caring for her great nieces Madison and Rylee. Gretchen is survived by her parents, Fred and Helen Mahre, her sister Terra (Ron) of Georgia, her brother, Patrick C (Julie) Mahre, of Wapato. She is also survived by her nieces, Bethany, of New York, Charlie and Kelly, of Yakima, and nephews, Colby, of Germany, Kyle, of Georgia, Jeb Stuart Mahre, of Yakima, and best friend, Mora Olson, and special people, George and Erma Mull. She is preceded in death by her brother, Fredrick “Rick” Mahre III,(Valerie is surviving), in 2004. At her request, no formal services are planned. If you wish, you are invited to attend an “Early St. Patrick’s Open House” on March 15th from 2-5PM at Fred & Helen’s home (60 Riggins Rd., Wapato) If you wish, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society. Valley Hills Funeral Home is caring for the family. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gretchen Mahre, please visit our flower store.