Gwendolyn Zochert

GWEN ZOCHERT was born to Edward and Amelia (Weick) Finke on January 17, 1924 on a farm near Wheaton, Minnesota where she was raised and attended country school. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wheaton. She continued her education at Wheaton High School and graduated from there in 1943. On October 2, 1943, she was united in marriage to Arnold Zochert at Scott Field, Illinois. Following their marriage, they lived in Springfield, Illinois where Arnie was stationed. During this time, Gwen worked as a cashier at the Greyhound Bus Depot. When Arnie was deployed overseas, she returned to Wheaton and worked at Nelson's Photography Shop until her husband returned from active duty. From 1946 to 1952, they lived in Dawson and Altura, Minnesota. In 1952, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where they settled to raise their family. While in Pipestone, Gwen worked at the S&L Department Store, NSP for 13 years, and Pamida until her retirement in 1979. On Tuesday, March 13, 2012, Gwen died at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone at the age of 88 years, one month and 27 days.

Gwen was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone where she was active in the WGA, served as a Youth Counselor, and taught Sunday School. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary. Gwen enjoyed crocheting, working on counted cross-stitch, playing gin rummy, working crossword puzzles, collecting roosters and gardening. She most especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Gwen is lovingly remembered by her husband, Arnold of Pipestone, Minnesota; her daughter, Janice Stueven and her husband Daryl of Pipestone, Minnesota; her son, Dennis Zochert and his wife Ronda of St. Peter, Minnesota; two grandsons, Mark Stueven and his wife Kammy of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Jared Zochert and his wife Latisha of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; two granddaughters, Teresa Schelhaas and her husband Joseph of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Rachel Dirks and her husband Zachary of St. Peter, Minnesota; four great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters, Austin, Aspen and Dawson Schelhaas, Brett, Wyatt and Mariah Stueven, and Ella Dirks; her sister, Fern Zabell of Wheaton, Minnesota; two brothers, Francis Finke of Wheaton, Minnesota, and Traverse Finke and his wife Algy of Bovey, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; five sisters, Violet Hunt, Hazel Wood, Mary Gaulrapp, Caroline Wood and Bernita Schuller; and four brothers, Eddie, Henry, Martin, and Lyle Finke.