Gretchen Anne "Dicke" Freehling, 77 years old, from The Villages, FL passed away on Feb 29, 2024, after a long battle with cancer.

She was born on October 8, 1946, to Rev. Martin Dicke and Dorothy "Hackbart" Dicke in Merrill, WI. She grew up in Butternut, WI until the family moved to Hudson, WI in 1955. She graduated from Hudson High School in 1964. Gretchen went on to graduate from the Univ. of Wisconsin-River Falls with three degrees, a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 1968, a Master's degree in Reading in 1977, and in 1986 a second Bachelor's degree in History Education.

After teaching for 2 years in Bloomington, MN she moved to St Croix, US Virgin Islands to escape winter. There she met her husband Charles Freehling, and they were married on August 8, 1978. They lived in St Croix for 48 years. Gretchen taught for 30 years in the public school, and an additional 5 years at Good Hope School, a private school on the island. During these years Gretchen took part in the Caribbean Fine Arts Exhibit as a celebrated painter, was a Girl Scout Leader, a member of the St. Croix Reading Association and a Board Member of Lutheran Social Services, Virgin Islands. She was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and worked with the Altar Guild, was a Council Member, and taught Sunday School.

In 2018, Gretchen and Charlie moved to The Villages, Florida. They became active members at Hope Lutheran Church—Lake Weir Campus, helping in the Food Pantry.

Gretchen is survived by her beloved husband Charlie, sisters Katherine (Thomas) Schneidewind

(Watertown, WI), Paula Dicke (Hudson, WI), Julie (Douglas) Mastley (Brooklyn Center, MN) and brother

Peter Dicke (Hudson, WI). Sisters-in-Law Carole (David) Dicke (Luxemburg, WI), Mary (John) Dicke, (Hudson, WI), Sandra (Peter) Dicke (Maplewood, MN) and Eleanor (Arthur) Schneider (Elizabethtown, PA). Also, many nieces, nephews, friends & family.

Gretchen is preceded in death by her father, Martin and mother, Dorothy and three brothers Donald, David, and John, also sister-in-law Joan (Donald) Dicke, brothers-in-law Thomas Schneidewind, Arthur Schneider and nephew James Dicke.

Gretchen was a very sweet, loving wife, sister and friend. Her "never-give-up" attitude and strength through all her health issues which literally started at birth, is a testament to her abiding love and faith in Jesus Christ.

The Memorial Celebration of Life was on April 6, 2024, at Hope Lutheran Church-Lake Weir Campus . Memorials in honor of Gretchen may be sent to the following: Hope Lutheran Church-Lake Weir Campus/Food Pantry, 250 Avenida Los Angelos, The Villages, FL  32162.  Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449.  Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com .