Mary "Francine" (Hupke) Gretch

Mary "Francine" (Hupke) Gretch, a retired registered nurse, died of natural causes Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Peace Hospice. She was 92.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home in Great Falls. A memorial service will be held at a later date, with burial of ashes at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

She was born Mary Francine Hupke on May 6, 1931, to Bernard "Ben" and Lucille (Rauterkus) Hupke in Danbury, Iowa. She was raised in Danbury and nearby Mapleton, Iowa, graduating in 1949 from Mapleton High School. She went on to receive her degree from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, and began her nursing career at St. Mary's Hospital in Minneapolis.

At a wedding of friends, Francine met Richard "Dick" Gretch, whose idea of a first date was to help him wash his car. Despite this auspicious beginning, they married Dec. 28, 1953.

Francine put her career on hold to start raising a family when she and Dick welcomed their first child, Barbara, and moved to Glendive, Mont., where Dick taught at Dawson County High School. In 1961, the family moved to Great Falls, where Dick became dean of students at the then-College of Great Falls. Their family life centered a great deal around Holy Family Catholic Church, where all seven kids attended parochial school.

After her last child was old enough, she completed a refresher course and returned to nursing at Columbus and Benefis hospitals, where she was known as an excellent nurse and mentor. During a hospitalization earlier this year, a nurse she had trained actually remembered her as one of the best-liked nurses and teachers she had ever known. She felt purpose in serving others, her family, her parish, clinical and hospice work, and volunteering.

Francine and Dick were proud of the fact that all their children graduated from college and some went on to earn master's degrees, MD's and PhD's.

A devoted homemaker who overcame challenges with resilience, she also possessed a humorous and playful side. She enjoyed camping, doing puzzles, and was an avid Packers fan. While she had mostly lost her Iowa accent, her grandchildren still loved to gently tease her pronunciation by prompting her to say "warshing machine."

After retiring, Francine and Dick sold the family home and bought a condo, where they developed friendships among their neighbors, participating in get-togethers, visiting, and having lunches. With age, her quick wit and sense of humor continued to shine.

Dick and Francine enjoyed traveling, visiting their children, flying to Australia, and going on an Alaska cruise. She had also enjoyed a trip to Germany with one of her sons.

Francine is survived by her children, Barb (Doug) Moen of Chandler, Ariz., Michael Gretch of Los Angeles, Judy Gretch of Great Falls, David (Lisa Thomassen) Gretch of Issaquah, Wash., Gary (Kathy Schultz) Gretch of Port Orchard, Wash., James (Cathy) Gretch of Great Falls, and Daniel (Deonne Corne) Gretch of Sonora, Calif.; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

In addition to her parents and siblings, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Dick Gretch, in October, 2012; and two grandsons, Samuel "Sam" Rapkoch, on June 23, 1990; and Stephen Michael Gretch, on Oct. 1, 1995.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Meals on Wheels (1620 12th Ave N, Great Falls, MT, 59401), Benefis Peace Hospice (2600 15th Ave S, Great Falls, MT, 59405), and Ursuline Center (2300 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT, 59401).