Gretchen Meeske

Gretchen Meeske died on April 25th, 2014 in hospice care in Pompano Beach, FL, after a long illness.

She was born Gretchen Mae Zimmerman on August 10th, 1928 to Earl A. and Ella Stark Zimmerman in Coffeyville, Kansas. She was a 1946 graduate of Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville and was married to George G. Meeske Jr. on June 5th, 1949. He preceded her in death on June 14th, 1993.

Gretchen was employed 33 and 12 years at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., working in Coffeyville and Independence, beginning her long career as a switchboard operator. During those years, she was active in the Communication Workers of America and held many posts in the union. She retired from the phone company on Aug. 13th, 1981.

She was an active member in the First Christian Churches of Coffeyville and Bartlesville, the Telephone Pioneers, Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary. During her life she resided in Coffeyville, Independence, Dewey and Bartlesville, OK, and since 2011 in Pompano Beach, FL.
She is survived by her sons, Michael Meeske and Michael Grenier of Oakland Park, FL a sisterinlaw, Gloria Zimmerman of Bakersfield, CA and many nieces and nephews. Her beloved sister, Laura Morrow, and two brothers, Earl Wayne and Douglas Zimmerman, also preceded her in death, in addition to her cousin, Lucille Coleman of Bartlesville.

Funeral services will be held at the FordWulfBruns Chapel at 1 p.m. Friday, May 2nd. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville Committal Services will be at the Veterans Patio. A viewing will be held Thursday evening May 1st at the funeral home from 10:00 am to 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. at the chapel. Contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the First Christian Church of Coffeyville.