Gretchen Gail Wax

Gretchen Gail Wax, 73, of Lumberton, Texas, died Saturday, January 20, 2024. She was born on April 22, 1950, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, to Viola Grabarkewitz Frees and Carl Frees.

She attended Fergus Falls High School and then graduated from fashion school in Alexandria where she studied design.  On a trip to visit her family in California she went out dancing with her cousin and they both met their future husbands that night.  Ira asked Gretchen to dance, and the rest is history.

Gretchen was married to Ira Allen Wax in Fergus Falls on October 1, 1972, by her grandfather, Reverend George Garbarkewitz.  They decided that Minnesota was too cold and moved to sunny California where they raised their family.

She enjoyed gardening and baking; she was an excellent cook. She loved trips to the beach and spending time with her family.  Gretchen worked as a retail merchandiser until the move to Texas in 2005 where she worked part time in the clothing department at Walmart. After retirement she enjoyed spoiling her grandkids and spending time with them.  She was happiest when she was surrounded by her grandkids and two girls. Gretchen was kind and thoughtful, always putting others first, she knew exactly how to make us all feel loved and supported.  She loved dancing, especially in the car, and she loved making others happy. Gretchen will be remembered by her sweet, calming demeanor and being the life of our family.  We will miss her deeply and keep her with us in our hearts forever.

Gretchen is survived by her husband, Ira Wax; children, Jennifer Witeby and her husband, Scott, of Sammamish, Washington and Andrea Primo and her husband, Larry, of Lumberton, Texas; grandchildren, Maisy Primo, Gage Primo, Ryder Primo, Sabella Primo, Rachel Witeby, and Bennett Witeby; and siblings, Carla Schneeberger; Jonathan Frees and his wife, Becky; and Deidre Haugmo and her husband, John; and brother-in-law, Hartley Hageness, all of Minnesota. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Peter Frees and Jordy Hageness.

Gretchen will be cremated on Thursday, January 25, 2024, followed by a celebration of life gathering at her home. Her cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.