Gretchen Louise Landen

Gretchen L. Landen, 91, of Albion, NE, died Thursday, June 17, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society in Albion, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE with Rev. Carolann Hopcke officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday at the church in Albion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for a later designation.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Gretchen Louise Landen, daughter of Carl H. and Anna (Hefti) Schmadeke, was born on June 8, 1930, at the family home in Boone County near Bradish, NE. Three of her siblings were confirmed that morning and Gretchen was passed around the room before the dinner guest went home. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion by Pastor John Beckman. Gretchen attended school through the 8 ^th grade at rural school District 65 in Boone County. She then attended Newman Grove High School and graduated in May of 1947. Following her graduation, Gretchen moved to Lincoln where she was employed at the state capital. In the summer of 1949, she attended a summer session at Wayne State College and taught for one year at District 34 in Boone County.

On May 28, 1950, Gretchen was united in marriage to John "Jack" Landen at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion. Following their wedding, the couple made their home in Newman Grove, NE before moving to Albion in 1954.  Gretchen was a devoted housewife and mother. She was also active as a Girl Scout leader and a school trip sponsor. Gretchen was a lifelong member at Zion Lutheran Church except for a few years when the couple lived in Newman Grove and she attended Trinity Lutheran Church. She was active in areas of the church including Junior Lutherans, Women of the ELCA, and Sew Happy Mission Quilters. She was an accomplished quilter and distributed beautiful heirlooms to many. Gretchen loved playing bridge, belonged to several clubs, and loved having good cards. She was an avid reader, loved history, and kept current on politics.

Gretchen is survived by her four children: Suzette (John) Goetzmann of Omaha, NE; Marcia Seier and Lisa (Dave) Skillstad all of Albion, NE; Bryce (Barb) Landen of Chadron, NE; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one brother: Carl Schmadeke of Cornelius, OR; and three sister-in-laws: Korrine Bailey of Centennial, CO; Ruth Hartford of Albion, NE; Nancy Landen of Newman Grove, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jack Landen; son-in-law Jerry Seier; Herman (Viola) Schmadeke, Inga Schmadeke, Fae Schmadeke; Ann (Arnold) Adamson; Clarence (Eva) Schmadeke; Melvin (Delores) Schmadeke; Robert (Dorothy) Landen; Pat (Bud) Goad; Jack Bailey; Marion Landen; Leland Landen; Robert Hartford; and Colleen Landen.