Gretchen Marie Ahlem

Gretchen Marie (Lindstrom) Ahlem was born in Kingsport, TN while her parents, Rev. P. Richard and Phyllis Lindstrom served as domestic missionaries of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Appalachia. She also lived in Spokane, WA, Marquette, KS and Stanton IA where her father served ECC congregations. Gretchen attended North Park College in Chicago, IL graduating in 1980 with a BS Nursing degree. She lettered multiple times in three sports and, in 1990, was the first woman inducted in to the North Park Viking Club athletic hall of fame. During her time at NPC she met her husband Theodore (Ted) Ahlem (NPC Class of 1979). Gretchen and Ted married on February 24, 1979 in the ECC in Stanton, IA. They moved to Turlock, CA in August 1980 where she worked at Emanuel Medical Center as a Registered Nurse while Ted attended graduate school. Moving to Bakersfield, CA in 1983 she continued as an RN at Mercy Hospital. Sons Tyler (1990) and Jacob (1992) were born in Bakersfield. Shortly after Jacob's birth, Gretchen devoted her time to raising her family and her passion of raising and training horses. She ultimately achieved Bronze Medal status with the United States Dressage Federation and had a student who has achieved Silver Medal status. The Ahlems moved to the Denver area in 1998 eventually settling in the Broomfield area in 1999 where she resided until her death. Gretchen is survived by her husband and sons, and brother Timothy (Candice) Lindstrom of Parkersburg, WV. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister LaDonna Lindstrom. A memorial service will be held for Gretchen on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 11:00 in the morning at Cherry Hills Community Church, 3900 E. Grace Blvd. in Highlands Ranch. Please click on ""Sign Guestbook"" to share memories of Gretchen and messages of condolence with her family.