Gretchen Anna Parker

Gretchen Anna (Kluge) Parker passed away suddenly on June 7, 2019, at her home in Albuquerque. Born on January 1, 1971, in Stevens Point, WI, she was the first born of Steven Gerald Kluge and Janis Anne (Keipper) Kluge. Gretchen’s early childhood took place in central and northern California. She attended grade school in Camptonville, CA and Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley, CA. The family moved to Albuquerque in the late 1980’s. Gretchen graduated from The University of New Mexico in 2010 with BA in Media Arts. She is survived by her children, Zachary Parker and Abigail May Parker, both treasures from her previous marriage to Robert “Rod” Parker, with whom she partnered in raising Zak and Abi; her eldest son, Benjamin Stitzel, who was adopted and raised by Barb and Dan ­­­­­Stitzel and is currently living in Mapleton, IL. Gretchen so loved her incredible children and called them the joys of her life. Her other surviving family members are her father, Steven Kluge; sisters, Rachel Elaine Boettger and Laurel Rose Kluge; brother, Nicholas Gerald Kluge; many nieces and nephews; her beloved fiance, Heath Dauberman; and her cherished little dog, Skip. Gretchen was preceded in death by her mother. She was an artist with paint & fiber works, a gardener and musician. Music was a great love and she played with several ABQ bands including the Darlington Horns, My Sister Suzie and Freddy Raygun and loved just playing the piano for herself, family, and friends. She has left a hand print behind on every heart she touched. She will be deeply missed by her many friends and relatives and all those she touched with her warm smile, laughter, and kind heart.

A Celebration of Gretchen’s Life will take place on August 3, 2019, at The Cell Theatre, 700 1st Street NW, Albuquerque, NM  87102, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. This gathering is for friends and family to rejoice with music, food, stories and our shared love of Gretchen.