Gretchen Butenhoff

Gretchen Butenhoff, age 58, of Faribault, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 6, 2024 after a battle with an illness.

Gretchen was loved by many people, not just her family. Gretchen Jean was born on January 9, 1966 to Earl and Charlene (Aubol) Butenhoff in Olivia, MN. Gretchen lived in Danube from 1966 until 1968. She then moved to Hanley Falls. Gretchen then moved to Saint Paul where she went to kindergarten and grade school. She then moved to Albany, MN. Gretchen went to study cosmetology at Mankato Trade Center. She went on to own and operate her own salon called A Cut Above and Beyond. Gretchen then went on to work at the Northfield Retirement Center in Northfield. She worked at ELM Homes in Waseca until she got sick. 

Gretchen touched the lives of everyone she came in contact with. Gretchen was always a phone call away if you ever needed anything, she would be the first to help you out. Gretchen had a beautiful soul, inside and out. She always had a smile on her face. Gretchen loved going to play bingo, loved the fish fry at the Channel Inn, and had a love for music of every type. She especially loved taking her sons fishing when they were growing up. Gretchen enjoyed traveling. Motorcycle rides. She loved going to play pull tabs.

She is survived by her eldest son, Jesse Dienst and his partner Cassie, their children Ellie, Lacie, Jamison, and Lucian; her youngest son, Josh Dienst and his children Emma and Kaileb; her dad and his wife Earl and Linda Butenhoff; her brother, Kevin and his wife Jessie Wiek and their 3 children; her step-brothers, Brent Eschensach and Eric and his wife Susan Eschenbach; her special friends Gary Wright and Denise McNamara; her dogs, Mitzy and Roxy; and many other friends and family members also.

She was preceded in death by her mom Charlene and her husband Roland Wiek and her grandparents, Hazel and Maynard Butenhoff. 

Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Parker Kohl Funeral Home, Faribault.

Funeral arrangements are being completed with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home of Faribault.