Gretchen Ann Tompkins

On Monday, September 15, 2025, Gretchen Tompkins, age 91, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family. She was born Gretchen A Olmsted, on January 16, 1934, in Coldwater, MI, daughter of an educator, Margaret Milnes Olmsted and orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Olmsted. Growing up, she and her siblings, Louise, Mary and Tom enjoyed the Little Comfort cottage and beach at Coldwater Lake as well as the large family home on Hanchett Street in town. Gretchen played the saxophone and excelled as a drum majorette in the marching band. She played the piano her whole life and brought music to her classrooms. She always knew she was going to be a schoolteacher. At Northern Michigan College (NMU), she met and fell in love with Budd Tompkins. Budd and football took her from Marquette to Big Bay to Coldwater, Frankenmuth, and eventually Traverse City. Gretch taught early elementary in Negaunee, Big Bay, Coldwater and Bridgeport. She was a football coach's wife who understood priorities as the seasons changed. In the classroom, she was devoted to teaching children to read. She raised and supported her family, Lisa, Jenny and Paul. She always loved her dogs. Gretchen was a force of nature. We were all made better by her watch over us. Gretchen leaves behind Lisa Gorence and her husband Ken Johnson, Jennifer and husband Bertrand Rigaldies, and Paul Tompkins, grandchildren Kyle Gorence, Kelsey Worsham, Emily Worsham, and family. She is survived by her sister Louise Fry and brother-in-law Dr. Gene Fry DDS, many beautiful nieces and nephews, a host of football-player "sons" and countless dear friends. A memorial service will be held at Kalkaska Funeral Home, on Saturday, October 18th, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10AM, followed by the service at 11AM. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or ASPCA. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home.