Dr. Gretchen M. Schmalz

Dr. Gretchen M. Schmalz, 90, passed away on August 29, 2026, in El Paso, Texas. Gretchen was born on January 22, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Walter and Theresa Schmalz (née Naumann). She was baptized on February 23, 1936, at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her faith remained constant and strong throughout her lifetime.

After graduating from Minneapolis Central High School, Gretchen began her career path in occupational therapy at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy OT}. She went on to earn a Master’s, degree in OT from the University of Southern California and later obtained her Doctorate in Education from the University of Houston.

In Galveston, Texas, she served as the Director of OT at the University of Texas Medical Branch. In 1992, she was chosen to establish the OT Program at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The Texas OT Association named her Educator of the Year in 1998, and she was later named Professor Emerita at UTEP. She dedicated much of her time to the Women’s Auxiliary and the Heritage Commission of UTEP, making a lasting impact on generations of students through her commitment to education and program development. She retired after 45 years of working and teaching in the OT field.

Gretchen was a woman of deep Christian faith and sang in the choir at Ascension Lutheran Church. She loved caring for her orchids, knitting blankets for Project Linus, tutoring elementary school students, and traveling. She was also an avid basketball fan and held season tickets to UTEP basketball games.

Gretchen leaves behind to celebrate her memory her siblings, Ruth Kruger (Cliff) and Timothy Schmalz (Mary), as well as 13 nieces and nephews and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Theresa; her sister, Meredith Morgan, and brother-in-law, John; and her brothers and sisters-in-laws, Richard and Marilyn Schmalz, and William and Carol Schmalz.

Memorial service will be at Accession Lutheran Church, in El Paso on September 19, 2026, at 10:00. Officiated by Pastor Schlak. Interment at Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul Minnesota will occur at a future date.

The family asks for memorials to Accession Lutheran church in El Paso or Gretchen M. Schmalz Endowment Scholarship in OT at UTEP.