A Livestream of Gretchen's Funeral will be available on the church's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064480308170&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Gretchen L. Woodin, age 93, of Laurens, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames, Iowa.

Gretchen Lee Hawley was born June 29, 1930, in Laurens, Iowa. She was the daughter of Charles F. and Leone (Davidson) Hawley. She graduated from Laurens High School in 1948 and went on to attend Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On March 13, 1949, Gretchen was united in marriage to Donald Woodin at First Christian Church in Laurens, Iowa. The couple lived on farms near Ware and Mallard. On March 1, 1959, they settled on their family farm near Laurens where they farmed and raised their family. Gretchen was very active helping with the many aspects of operating the farm with Don. The couple moved from the farm into Laurens in 1990. Don passed away in 2009 and Gretchen continued to make her home in Laurens. She moved to Pleasant View Assisted Living of Albert City in 2017, then to the Green Hills Retirement Community of Ames in March of 2020.

Gretchen was a member of the United Methodist Church in Laurens, the Birthday Club, and the Stitchers Club. She enjoyed coffee with the ladies, golfing with Don and wintering in Biloxi, Mississippi. Her hobbies included Japanese Bunka, crocheting, knitting, sewing, and cross-stitching. She especially enjoyed the time she spent with her family.

Survivors include her daughters-in-law, Jackie Woodin of Ames and Nancy Woodin of Ankeny; grandchildren, Audra (Mark) Watson, Austin (Melissa) Woodin, Annon (John) Schwegler, Anson Woodin (girlfriend, Holly Nguyen), Lindsay (Tim) Pyle, Adam Woodin, Madison (Terry) Powers and Brian (Abby) Kooker, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; sons, Dan and David Woodin; grandson, Matthew Woodin; brother, L. J. "Bud" Hawley; sister, Jane Appleton, and an infant sister, Wanda June Hawley.