Gretchen Dahlkemper

Gretchen Dahlkemper, 41, of Erie, passed away February 7, 2025. She was born in The Woodlands, TX on February 6, 1984, daughter of Dan & Kathy (Steenberge) Dahlkemper. She came into this life and departed with a spirit that couldn't be ignored. She was always passionate, always strong-willed and always did it her way. She brought all of her huge inner strength into the battle with cancer. Sadly, she also had a cancer that matched, and eventually overcame, her fierceness.
Gretchen graduated from Villa Maria Academy. She attended Penn State University, graduating from University of Memphis with a BA in Art History. She worked with the Clean Air Council, Mom's Clean Air Force (National Field Director), Environmental Defense Fund (Dir of Special Projects), and Clean Air Moms Action. She worked tirelessly for her children and all children so they would have a world that is cleaner and healthier. Most recently, she was President of Dahlkemper Strategies, assisting others in combatting the effects of the work of climate change. She was on the board of Linked By Pink. She enjoyed skiing, hiking, camping, searching for beach glass and going to concerts (Phish at least 50x). Her greatest joy, and her greatest gift to the all, is her children, always teaching them to be good humans, which they definitely are.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Carl and Janet Steenberge and Chuck and Mary Jane Dahlkemper; her cousin, Krista Pawlowski; her brother in law, Mark Vingua; uncles Tim Steenberge and Frank Zematis; and her dear friends, Dan York and Joel Cuzzola.
In addition to her parents, survivors include her children, Reinaldo 'Reny' Alfonso, of Miami, and Fiona and Declan Alfonso, both at home; siblings Aron Dahlkemper (Stephanie), Linden Dahlkemper, Tricia Taccone (Jonathan) and 'Flipher' Nate Dahlkemper; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Monday, February 10th from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, February 11th at the Mount St. Benedict Monastery, 6101 E Lake Rd, Erie, PA 16511, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Gretchen's childrens' 529B fund for their college education (www.Ugift529.com, codes: D0Y-J04 (Reny), 26D-S8D (Fiona), H52-X1C (Declan) or to Linked By Pink, linkedbypink.org.
Gretchen asked that we be kind to each other as your kindness will come back to bless you and the world. She also wanted everyone to know 'You We can do hard things, because we are loved'. When you find a piece of beach glass, remember the beauty, strength and fierceness, she brought into this world.
Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to leave a condolence on Gretchen's Tribute Page.