OBITUARY: Gretchen Ann Montee

Gretchen Ann Montee, 60, of Sturgeon Bay, died Wednesday morning, Nov. 21, 2018 at her home with her family by her side following a short but devastating illness of brain cancer.

Gretchen was born April 12, 1958 in Kenosha, the daughter of the late Nicholas and Kathleen (Hayes) Lichter. Following high school, Gretchen received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and her master’s in education from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. She moved to Sturgeon Bay in 1983 as Ms. Lichter, teaching middle school English before eventually focusing her role in education as reading specialist for the Sturgeon Bay Schools, retiring in 2016.

She married Timothy L. Montee on July 20, 1985 in Paris, Wisconsin. They loved being in the out of doors together, especially biking and skiing, and shared that gift with family and friends.

Gretchen’s life calling was devoted to teaching children. She wrote many grants for the school district, increasing funding options for literacy and language programs. She left her mark on our community spearheading the Gifted and Talented Program, Safe Routes for Schools, the Door County Civility Project, and volunteered for various outdoor activities, including skiing, biking and triathlons. She continued that mission of service with her involvement at St. John Bosco School and as a CESA mentor.

Gretchen’s family includes her husband, Tim; two children, MurphyKate (Jeremy Judge) Montee of Chicago, Illinois and Nicholas Montee of Milwaukee; two brothers, Mike (Debi) Lichter of La Crosse and Nick (Margaret) Lichter of Onalaska; three sisters, Judy Lichter of Sparta, Mary (Nick) Breunig of Onalaska, and Lisa (Craig) Zimmerman of Onalaska; many dear nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Jill Montee of Racine; two brothers-in-law, Gerry Montee of Racine and Barry Montee of La Crosse; and father-in-law, Jack Montee of Racine.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Kathleen (Hayes) Lichter; mother-in-law, Carol Montee; brother-in-law, Scott Montee; and sister-in-law, Nancy Montee.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay with Fr. Carl Schmitt as celebrant.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 – 7 pm on Friday Nov. 30, 2018 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay with a parish wake service to be prayed at 7 pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Following the Mass, Gretchen’s wish was for all to take a walk or ride in nature together at Snowkraft.

Gretchen was an incredibly loving and energetic woman. Throughout her illness Gretchen always remained grateful for the positives in her life, constantly saying, “We are so blessed.” We are so thankful to hospice, family, and friends for their love and support at this impossible time.

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Gretchen may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.