1946
Gretchen
2015
Gretchen Baird
March 16, 1946 — February 7, 2015
Gretchen Vanderhoff Baird passed away on February 7th 2015 in West Jordan, Utah after a long battle with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Gretchen was born on March 16th 1946 in Butler, PA, an only child to her parents Joan (Johanna) and Ken (Jess) Vanderhoff. She grew up mainly in Logan, UT where she attended Utah State University and made many lifelong friends. She was never afraid of change and lived in Idaho, Washington, and Utah. Gretchen managed and opened several beauty salons during her career as a cosmetologist.
After marrying Ray Baird on December 14th 1979 in the Logan Temple, she moved to Salt Lake City, UT, worked at Entrée Hair and Nails, and longed to start a family. In September 1983 Ray and Gretchen adopted their first daughter, Johanna Rose. To be followed by Stephanie in 1985 and Austin in 1999.
As a family they would go camping many times during the summer, often to Bear Lake or the Uintah Mountains. Gretchen loved to be out in nature – swimming in lakes, singing around the campfire, riding the ATV on uncharted paths, and taking large rocks from the side of the road to decorate her garden.
Gretchen was an active member of her church and community, serving in several roles in the LDS church, as a Girl Scout Troop leader, and assisting in school programs. She loved to ski, golf, and play all kinds of games: Farmville, Nintendo, cards, dice, and so on. She was an avid quilter and scrapbooker. She enjoyed tackling new technologies; using them to celebrate her family, make new friends, and keep in touch with old friends.
The most important thing to remember about Gretchen is her love of life. Though she faced extreme diversity and challenges – she always smiled and said “love, laugh, and enjoy the ride.” She’s on to new adventures now. We know she’s having the best time.
Survived by husband Ray Harper Baird; daughter and son-in-law Johanna and Jonathan Breck Luckau; daughter Stephanie; son Austin Kenneth; brother-in-law Alan Harper Baird. Preceded in death by parents Joan and Ken Vanderhoff.
Gretchen will be laid to rest on February 14th 2015 at Redwood Memorial on 6500 S. Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT. A visitation will be held from 10:00AM to 11:00AM, followed by a graveside service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gretchen’s life.
Gretchen was born on March 16th 1946 in Butler, PA, an only child to her parents Joan (Johanna) and Ken (Jess) Vanderhoff. She grew up mainly in Logan, UT where she attended Utah State University and made many lifelong friends. She was never afraid of change and lived in Idaho, Washington, and Utah. Gretchen managed and opened several beauty salons during her career as a cosmetologist.
After marrying Ray Baird on December 14th 1979 in the Logan Temple, she moved to Salt Lake City, UT, worked at Entrée Hair and Nails, and longed to start a family. In September 1983 Ray and Gretchen adopted their first daughter, Johanna Rose. To be followed by Stephanie in 1985 and Austin in 1999.
As a family they would go camping many times during the summer, often to Bear Lake or the Uintah Mountains. Gretchen loved to be out in nature – swimming in lakes, singing around the campfire, riding the ATV on uncharted paths, and taking large rocks from the side of the road to decorate her garden.
Gretchen was an active member of her church and community, serving in several roles in the LDS church, as a Girl Scout Troop leader, and assisting in school programs. She loved to ski, golf, and play all kinds of games: Farmville, Nintendo, cards, dice, and so on. She was an avid quilter and scrapbooker. She enjoyed tackling new technologies; using them to celebrate her family, make new friends, and keep in touch with old friends.
The most important thing to remember about Gretchen is her love of life. Though she faced extreme diversity and challenges – she always smiled and said “love, laugh, and enjoy the ride.” She’s on to new adventures now. We know she’s having the best time.
Survived by husband Ray Harper Baird; daughter and son-in-law Johanna and Jonathan Breck Luckau; daughter Stephanie; son Austin Kenneth; brother-in-law Alan Harper Baird. Preceded in death by parents Joan and Ken Vanderhoff.
Gretchen will be laid to rest on February 14th 2015 at Redwood Memorial on 6500 S. Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT. A visitation will be held from 10:00AM to 11:00AM, followed by a graveside service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gretchen’s life.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gretchen Baird, please visit our flower store.
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