Gretchen E. Heitzler

Gretchen Knott Heitzler, 101, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on December 01, 2016. Gretchen was born in Wolfe City, Texas, on September 22, 1915 to parents Anne Lenore and George Grant Liser. Her childhood was spent in Ft. Worth Texas, but she loved coming to Albuquerque every summer with her family to spend a month with her grandparents and uncles, owners of downtown's Butt's Drug Stores. Gretchen attended UNM North Texas Agricultural College and graduated from Texas Tech in 1938 where she majored in English and History. Upon the death of her father, the family moved to Albuquerque in 1939 and Gretchen began teaching at Washington Jr. High. Not long after, she became engaged to rancher William E. "Rusty" Knott, manager of Three Rivers Ranch near Carrizozo, NM. Her life on the ranch during WWII became the subject of her humor filled bestselling book, Meanwhile Back at the Ranch, written in later years. When Rusty died in 1961, a new chapter in Gretchen's life was written. Living in Albuquerque with daughters Barbara and Marianne, she returned to teaching at Harrison and McKinley Jr. High Schools. In 1967 she married Charlie Heitzler. Charlie and Gretchen enjoyed many happy years traveling in their trailer to Mexico and spending summers at their cabin at El Valle Escondido near Taos. When Charlie died in 2013, Gretchen agreed, at age 99, to finish her second book, "Meanwhile Back at the Altar", the story of her second marriage. A voracious reader, she spent her days in later life consuming mysteries and other books that she deemed to be well written. Gretchen was a "dyed in the wool" Democrat who worked in the campaigns of Adlai Stevenson and John F. Kennedy. When Barbara contracted polio at age two, Gretchen worked tirelessly for The March of Dimes and served as a board member Carrie Tingley Hospital during the 1950's. She was also a member of PEO and the First Presbyterian Church. Gretchen will always be remembered for her special humor, her intelligence and her love of family and friends. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Gretchen's caregivers, Maxine Avila, Cindy Frazier, Barbara Mitchell, Linda Martin and Kathleen Velasquez. A special thanks is also extended to Gentiva Hospice for all their support.
Gretchen is survived by daughters Marianne Wright and husband Ivan of Albuquerque; Barbara Schwartz and husband Ed of Windham. Maine; grandchildren Betsy and husband Peter of Seattle. WA, Ben and wife Karen of West Newton, MA., Meredith and husband Aaron of San Antonio, TX, and great grandchildren Bella, Chase and Emily. She will be missed by all who loved her and had the chance to meet her.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Canine Companions for Independence at cci.org.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 10:00am; at Daniels Family Funeral Services-Wyoming Chapel. Reception to follow.