COLUMBUS—Gretchen J. MacDonald, age 72, passed away in her home on Thursday, May 26, 2022. She was born on September 14, 1949 to John and Laurola (Walsh) Gaver in St. Paul, MN.

After graduating from Carroll College Gretchen went on to work in San Diego and New York City. In 1973 she returned to Wisconsin to attend graduate school at UW Madison where she earned a MS degree and met her husband Winfield. Gretchen and Winfield were married on June 5, 1976.

After School Gretchen spent most of her career working in the Wisconsin Department of Justice managing the office of Victim Services.

Gretchen was a lover of travel with family and friends. Whether it was Europe, Central American islands or her love of antiquing, architecture and fine dining trips throughout Wisconsin.

She will be missed.

Gretchen is survived by her husband Winfield of Columbus; son Ian (Cindy) Macdonald of Columbus; daughter Bri Macdonald of Columbus; grandchildren Leif, Nola, Iona; brother Jeffery (Bonnie) Gaver of Sun City, AZ; sister Laurie (Todd) Whitehead of Phoenix, AZ; other relatives and friends. Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents.