Gretchen Ann Beckhelm, 87, died Sunday morning, June 15, 2025, at the Woodlands of the Meth-Wick Community in Cedar Rapids. Born April 19, 1938, in Hays, Kansas, Gretchen was the younger daughter of Dr. Paul and Daisy Child Beckhelm. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Frederick, Maryland, for her father to teach at Hood College in Frederick. The family lived in Frederick until 1949, when they moved to Mount Vernon, Iowa for her father to head the music department at Cornell College. Gretchen graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1956 and then, having returned to Hood for her college years, graduated from Hood College in 1960 with a degree in biology. Nearly all of her working career was with the pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she participated in research for cardiovascular drugs now in use today. After thirty-two years with Eli Lilly, Gretchen retired and ultimately moved to a warmer climate. She enjoyed some pleasant years living in Punta Gorda, Florida, for ten years, and then in Venice, Florida, for another 11 years. Never having had children of her own, Gretchen loved and doted on her two nephews and one niece, Rich Moore, now of Graham, Texas, Tom Moore, of Cedar Rapids and Bonnie Moore, now deceased but formerly of Mount Vernon. As an example, as they turned eleven years old, she treated each one to a trip alone with her for a full weekend of fun activities appropriate for their age. For Rich, it was a weekend of the Indy 500 Time Trials. She and Bonnie spent their Indianapolis weekend shopping for new clothes purchased with Bonnie's baby-sitting earnings (most probably increased a bit by her aunt!) She took Tom to the Big Island of Hawaii for a weekend of sightseeing. Gretchen delighted in any time spent with her grand-nephews and grand-nieces, Ryan Wikstrom (Dani) and his son, Kenson; Jami Wikstrom Myers (Ryan) and their children, Brantley and Wren; Cody Moore West (Brodey) and their sons, Bennett and Archer; Hannah Moore Smith (Riley) and Sadie; and Sam Moore.Gretchen moved back to Iowa nearly eight years ago to be nearer to her sister, Barbara Beckhelm Moore, of Mount Vernon and other family. She was a member of The United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and several science-related organizations. As is typical of this strong, independent woman, she had pre-arranged for Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Mount Vernon to take care of all arrangements. A Graveside Service for family and friends will be held at the Mount Vernon Cemetery on Tuesday, June 24, at 10:00 a.m., followed by an informal reception at the home of Babs Moore, 1103 3rd Street SW Mount Vernon. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon.