Gretchen Hatcher, 62
Funeral services for Gretchen Louise Sabel Hatcher, 62, of Theodosia, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at The Bridge to the Living Word Church in Theodosia with graveside services to follow at Lutie Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 10 a.m.
She died Aug. 7, in Springfield.
Gretchen was born June 8, 1962, in Seattle, Washington. Growing up, her father was a forest ranger at Mt. Rainier, and she had many fond memories of summers and weekends spent there. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1980.
Gretchen married Michael Hatcher on the Sept. 16, 1989, when they eloped in Lake Tahoe. They then had a church wedding on April 7, 1990, at the Prince of Peace Chapel, Naval Submarine Base Bangor, in Bangor, Washington. Gretchen always enjoyed having two anniversaries every year.
She had two boys born to this union: Michael and Aaron, and had five boys who greeted her when she arrived in heaven: Stuart, Matthew, Joseph, Joshua and Caleb.
Gretchen was the epitome of the perfect Navy wife. For 24 years, she took care of the home while her husband went underway. She was designated as a Lady of the Submarine Force, and as a special mark of gratitude, she was entitled to wear the submarine dolphin insignia. During her years as a Navy wife, she made homes in Washington State, La Maddalena, Italy, Guam, Nixa and five years ago, made her home in Theodosia.
Gretchen was always an entrepreneur. Everything she put her mind to was a success. She sold scrapbooking supplies through Creative Memories. She and her husband had the Heaven’s Scents Candle Company. In Guam, she owned and operated the island’s only Kindermusik studio (island kids music). Upon moving to Missouri, she opened Studio Z fitness studio in Nixa, and when moving to Theodosia, she opened Inside Out Fitness and eventually opened the Country Apron Bakery. For the last several years, she and her husband have been building a pastor retreat called Briar Creek in Theodosia, and it will continue in her honor.
Gretchen and her husband were born again in January 1991 and they were both baptized together in the summer of 1991 in the Mediterranean Sea while living in Italy.
She was such a shining light, a kingdom builder, a joy maker and dear friend. She lived with purpose and made everyone who met her better. She will have a legacy of kindness, compassion, servant’s heart and love that will live on forever.
She is survived by her loving husband, Michael Hatcher; two children: Michael Hatcher II and his wife Kailee, and Aaron Hatcher; two brothers: Steve Sabel, Stuart Sabel and his wife Katie Maychild; and her sister, Lori Sabel and her husband Jim Black; and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends who will miss her.
Gretchen was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ethel and James Drake and Helen Clocksin; her mother and father, Donna and Gerald Sabel; mother-in-law, Sharon Hatcher; and her sisters-in-law, Lois Kaebel and Debbie Sabel.
In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe page is set up to help construct the “Joy” cabin at Briar Creek Retreat. https://gofund.me/743bae55 or send checks to Briar Creek Retreat, 777 CR 656, Theodosia, MO 65761.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.