Gretchen M. Johannesen

April 13, 1932 - July 17, 2021

Gretchen M. Johannesen (Pruyn) died Saturday, July 17, 2021.

She was born in Fremont on April 13, 1932 to Norton A. and Martha E. (Janowski) Pruyn. She was the third of four sisters. She graduated from Fremont High School in 1950. Gretchen had an amazing group of friends from her graduating class that had kept in touch all through the years. She was very blessed by their friendships. She married her best friend, Jere Johannesen on March 13, 1953. Except for the short time she spent with him while he was stationed in San Francisco, she lived her entire life in Fremont.

To this union were born three children, Tess (Bob) Welstead, Brad (Chris) Johannesen, and Scott (Sherri) Johannesen. From their acreage just outside of Fremont, they enjoyed watching their children grow up. Their special time each year was a family vacation at a resort at Rush Lake in Minnesota. Gretchen never missed a year in 50 years. She also owned and operated Watermelon Seed Maternity Shop for over 10 years until deciding to retire. Gretchen's pride and joy were her nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. She would often say, "Not an ugly one in the bunch." She thoroughly enjoyed any time she spent with any of them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jere, her parents, three sisters and great grandsons, Gabriel and Nathanael Adams.

She is survived by her three children as well as her grandchildren, Katie (Mike) Adams, Jason (Bethany) Welstead, Steve (Michelle) Johannesen, Angie (Ryan) Vogel, Craig (Hollie) Hittner, Karen (Eric) Chapman, Holly (Jesse) Stout, Korri (Jantzen) Veskerna and Kole (Nicole) Hendrickson. Great grandchildren are Zach Adams, Ellie Adams, Josh Lisko, Layla Welstead, Jacob Johannesen, Ethan Johannesen, Kayleigh Vogel, Lucas Vogel, Camdyn Hittner, Caedyn Hittner, Dylan Marchand, Xander Marchand, Alexa Chapman, Noah Chapman, Easton Chapman, and Jerzey Veskerna.

Celebration of Life services will be Thursday, July 22, at 10:30 am at Salem Lutheran Church, 401 East Military, Fremont. Lunch will be served following the service. Memorials suggested to Salem Lutheran Church.

Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com

To watch a recording of the service please use the following link:

https://youtu.be/E-ViqH_Flg0

Obituary Provided By:
Freeman Funeral Home
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE  68025
www.ludvigsenmortuary.com