Joe, my prayers to you and your family for healing. I’m sorry for the tardiness but just say this in a Fairview announcement for a prevention program.
Gretchen Wenner Butler, MD
October 19, 1984 – March 5, 2021
Dr. Gretchen Wenner Butler, 36, of Saint Paul, Minn., was a bright star who burned out too soon. She unexpectedly died by suicide on March 5, 2021.
Gretchen Wenner was born on October 19, 1984, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the youngest of four children of Joseph and Mary (Legatt) Wenner. From an early age, Gretchen had an adventurous spirit. This spirit, combined with her boundless energy and many gifts, left those who met her with an unforgettable impression. She graduated from Saint John’s Preparatory School and the University of San Diego, where she excelled at both academics and athletics.
Her zest for life and positive energy made for many shared adventures with her family and friends. One adventure on the ski slopes of Colorado led to Gretchen meeting her match in Michael Butler. They married on June 18, 2011 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring.
Gretchen earned her Doctor of Medicine from Creighton University’s School of Medicine in 2013 and completed her residency and fellowship in Radiology at the University of Minnesota. She was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and earned honors as Chief Resident, Teaching Resident of the Year and Radiology Resident of the Year.
Gretchen was employed at Hennepin Healthcare, where she loved her work and her patients. Gretchen’s work at Hennepin County Medical Center was particularly meaningful to her as it aligned with causes for which Gretchen advocated: Women’s health, accessibility to healthcare for all and meaningful relationships between physicians and patients.
Her strong work ethic, openness to other perspectives and eye for detail made Gretchen an excellent radiologist and an entertainer extraordinaire. The only thing better than having Gretchen attend your party was having her plan it! She made everything she did more beautiful and more fun with her infectious laugh and kind heart.
Gretchen was a doting daughter, a loving wife, a skilled physician, an elegant hostess and a generous friend. While she had many accomplishments and excelled at all of these roles, nothing made her more proud or brought her more joy than her three children. The void left in the lives of those who loved her is beyond words.
Gretchen is survived by her husband, Mike, and their children, Hudson, Harriet and Oliver; her parents, Dr. Joseph and Mary Wenner, and her siblings, Dr. Christopher (Jennifer) Wenner and Dr. Rachel (Ted) Ruzanic, all of Cold Spring, and Dr. Michelle (Paul) Chestovich of St. Paul; her in-laws, Bob and Marian Butler of Westford, Mass.; a brother-in-law, Rob Butler of Philadelphia; 11 loving nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be on Thursday, March 11, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring. COVID-19 precautions will be followed and masks are required. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 3:00 pm and be viewable through a live-stream accessible at the Daniel Funeral Home website. Private burial will follow at Saint John’s. In lieu of flowers, Gretchen’s family invites you to make a memorial gift benefiting women’s healthcare, or society’s underserved and most vulnerable, all of which were causes for which Gretchen had tremendous passion.
Guestbook
Know that you and your family are held close in prayers and love
God Bless. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to all of you. From our family to yours, we are thinking of you.
Love, Tom and Stacy Kowalkowski
God Bless your Beautiful family as Gretchen has gained her wings and is now heading into her next Journey, My sincere condolences for each and every one of you, Peace and love, Lynn Barthel
How do you begin to describe the person that Gretchen was or her impact on others? Is it possible to be speechless and full of words at the same time? I had the incredible privilege of being her teacher and her soccer and softball coach during her high school years at St. John’s Preparatory School. Surely Gretchen learned a lot from me, but I can truly say that I learned just as much from her. She possessed a spirit like none other; full of life, joy, determination, tenderness and love. Gretchen was a spark wherever she went. She was, and will always be a cherished student, athlete and friend. Gretchen and her parents left an indelible impression on me all those years ago. They helped me to fall in love with my job, and set such an incredible example of what it means to be part of a community. I have so many wonderful memories of Gretchen. I wish I could share them all. My heart goes out to the entire Wenner and Butler families. I lift you up in prayer as you move through the days and months ahead. Much love, Kris
Dear Mary and Joe, please accept our sincere condolences upon the loss of your wonderful daughter. She was a bright star. We are so sorry. Sending our love to you and your family.
My husband and I made a donation in Gretchen’s name to the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) in Omaha Nebraska. It is the go-to place for anyone in the Omaha area who is experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. I know she would have appreciated their mission and working on their causes. Rest in peace, Gretchen.
I am so sorry for your loss. I am heartbroken for her family and send the Butler and Wenner families love and prayers.
Our deepest condolences to the Wenner and Butler family. Gretchen, we will miss you greatly! You have a very special soul. I was very fortunate to cross pass with you in this life. May God bless you and keep you in eternity!
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Gretchen was an inspiration to me and I feel blessed to have met her. She showed me and others how to be kind and generous everyday.
Life is so fragile. I still can’t believe it. I’m glad you went into radiology so that I had the chance to know you better. I’m so grateful our paths crossed. You will be missed.
Gretchen’s legacy will live on through her three remarkable children. Words cannot describe the change she made in the world. All my love and prayers.
I remember Gretchen’s laugh and smile, she was contagiously fun to be around and passionately dedicated to her family, friends, and work. Her passing has been difficult to process and to those that knew her I share my deepest sympathy. Especially, to those that she touched regularly with her light and love; I pray that this void will someday lessen. Gretchen, it was a pleasure to have crossed paths; you’re legacy will live on in this world in those who have known you and I wish you love and peace
I feel honored to have known Dr. Butler, if even for a brief period of time. Her dedication to patient care, enthusiasm for life, and remarkable smile will live on forever. We are all blessed to have a connection to her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
To the Butler family. I met your daughter when she was at Copper Mt. she was a lovely young woman who went on to do great things. I hope you can celebrate her life and remember the the best.
Dr. Pamela Bourg
To Mike and family; I met Gretchen when she started her residency and it was clear from the start she was an amazing person. She brought light into any room she entered. I know you already know this, but Gretchen was a positive force in the life of so many people. My prayers are with you.
Dr. Joe, Mary and Family
Our Heart Felt Sympathy on this news of Gretchen. I knew her from birth on. Words can not express the true sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God’s Wisdom help you through now and days ahead. Our Prayers –
Mark n Peg Backes
To Mike and family. My heart aches for your loss. With love and sympathy. Mrs. A
May the Lord bless her and keep her.
I worked with Gretchen at the MHealth CSC during her fellowship in the Breast Center. She was an absolute joy every day and much loved. I pray to God to bring peace to her beautiful family.
I have great sadness for you and all of Gretchen’s family. Tears are flowing and my heart is breaking as I vividly recall the tragic loss of my daughter. May you feel the prayers and hugs being sent you way. Love to you Joe and Mary.
My sympathy for your loss of this wonderful woman in your lives. You have my sympathy, and prayers for peace during this painful time.
Gretchen was a wonderful person who always wore a smile. I remember Ski Patrolling with her at Mt. Crescent, IA on several occasions and enjoyed our conversations. Her presence will be missed and her spirit will live on with us all. Our condolences Mike and family. From your ski patrol family in Crescent, IA.
Our deepest sympathy to your family during this time. Thinking of your family and keeping you in our prayers! Rest in peace Gretchen
I send my deepest sympathies to the Wenner and Butler families. Gretchen was an absolute light in this world. She radiated kindness to everyone she met and impacted so many lives. I have fond memories of our time at Saint John’s Prep together, and working at camp in the summer as Counselors. We all looked up to Gretchen – and she was such a determined and smart person. We played on the first ever girl’s soccer team together – she was an unstoppable force. Gretchen, you will be dearly missed. Your legacy will live on through your beautiful children and all those people you helped. We love you, we miss you.
Thank you Gretchen for the love and passion you brought to this world. You will be so terribly missed. Thinking and praying for the Bulter and Wenner families.
Gretchen, thank you for being. Just for being. Your being brought so much light to this world.
Services
Visitation
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Cold SpringSchedule Details
Visitation will be on Thursday, March 11, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring. COVID-19 precautions will be followed and masks are required. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 3:00 pm and be viewable through a live-stream accessible at the Daniel Funeral Home website. Private burial will follow at Saint John’s. In lieu of flowers, Gretchen’s family invites you to make a memorial gift benefiting women’s healthcare, or society’s underserved and most vulnerable, all of which were causes for which Gretchen had tremendous passion.