Gretchen Ann Hollister, 80 of Coldwater passed away Monday, April 08, 2019 at Drews Place of Coldwater.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Coldwater with Pastor Dave Pierce officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. A private burial of ashes will take place on a later date at Bronson Cemetery.
Gretchen was born September 29, 1938 to Ray and Margaret (Schmid) Cuyler in Sturgis. She was a life-long Branch County resident, where she graduated Bronson High School in 1956. Gretchen married Robert Miller in 1957 in Bronson. Gretchen began her career at Southern Michigan Bank, where she worked for two years before moving on to Douglas Manufacturing Company. In 1969, Gretchen and Robert purchased the Diebel Hardware in Bronson, renaming it Robert Miller Hardware in 1972 and then Miller Do-It Center in the early 1980s. Robert preceded her in death on January 18, 1988. Gretchen was remarried in 1990 to long-time, family friend Gerald Hollister. They were devoted Michigan Football fans, who spent many Saturdays at The Big House in Ann Arbor. Gerald preceded her in death on March 6, 2012. In 1999, Gretchen sold the hardware store and retired.
Gretchen was an active leader and a woman of faith. As a member at the First Congregational Church of Bronson she served as Sunday School Superintendent, Treasurer and sang in the choir. More recently, Gretchen was a member of First Baptist Church of Coldwater where she also sang in the choir. She was always very involved in the community. Gretchen was a former member and Past-President of the Bronson Chamber of Commerce. She was also the first woman inducted into the Bronson Rotary, serving as Past-President and on the Board of Directors. Gretchen had many diverse interests. She enjoyed attending music and theater productions, gardening, canning, and reading. Gretchen also liked traveling and was well-known for her delicious pies and pickles. Her true joy in life was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be missed by many.
Gretchen Hollister is survived by her children Brian (Gayle) Miller of Ann Arbor, Susan (David) Eavy of Flushing, and Laura (Michael) Van Goor of Chelsea; her step-children Jeri Sue (Tom) Bray of Ann Arbor and Annette (Robert) Papp of Grand Rapids; her sister-in-law Betty Cuyler of Sturgis; her grandchildren Cailey Miller, Chloe (Darian Scott) Miller, Jesse (Shirley) Miller, Erin Eavy, Tara Eavy, Sarah (Brian) Cole, and Julia Van Goor; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, her husband Gerald, by her sister Margaret “Peg” Van Blarcom; her brother Kenneth William “Bill” Cuyler; and her step-son John Hollister.
Memorials may be directed to the Bronson Community Foundation.
