Gretchen Lee Garrison's Obituary
Mrs. Gretchen Lee Garrison, age 88, of Spring Lake passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2021, at Heartwood Lodge. She was born January 31, 1933, in Cordell, Oklahoma to Jess and Lillian (Jones) Wesner. On June 22, 1954, she married Dr. Edgar Garrison and he preceded her in death on November 29, 2009.
Gretchen graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1953 as a speech pathologist. She and Edgar moved to Fairbanks Alaska, where she taught kindergarten while Edgar finished his enlistment in the Air Force. They then moved to West Michigan, where she has lived for the last 65 years.
Gretchen had many friends with whom she loved to play tennis, golf, and bridge. She loved to cook and entertain family and friends, at her home in Spring Lake and at her home in Florida.
Gretchen was known by all to be generous, demure, gracious, and kind. Their philanthropy includes membership of the Legacy Society and the Dr. Edgar and Gretchen Garrison Family Fund, with the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.
Gretchen loved her family and spending time with them. She is survived by four sons: Brent and Robin, John and Amy, Tom and Phippi, and Rob and Jill Garrison; thirteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; brother, Charles (Lyntha) Wesner. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ron Wesner and her husband, Edgar Garrison.
The family will celebrate Gretchen’s life with a private memorial service. A public visitation will be held Friday, August 13, 2021 at the Spring Lake Country Club between 4 and 6 PM. Interment will take place in Spring Lake Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Edgar and Gretchen Garrison Family Fund at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, One South Harbor, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Gretchen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gretchen?
Share a story where Gretchen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gretchen you’ll never forget.
How did Gretchen make you smile?
