Gretchen Elizabeth Davidson (nee Dornfeld)

Gretchen Elizabeth Davidson (nee Dornfeld) Born October 17, 1942 in Minneapolis, MN. Passed away March 2, 2025 after a brief hospital stay. Preceded in death by husband James E. “Jed” Davidson, parents Warren Dornfeld and Jeanette Dornfeld (nee Sweney), and niece Julessa Bass. Survived by sons Robert (Stacy) and Steven (Shelly); grandsons Andy (Kayla), Adam, Aiden and Ashden; sister Susan; nephews Sam (Lisa) and Matt (Aubrey); her cousins, extended family, countless friends and her beloved animal companions.

Born in Minneapolis, she lived there until moving to White Bear Lake in 1948. While a student at White Bear Lake High School, she grew up across the street from the lake (and next door to her future husband). After high school she attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with her Bachelors in Education. She immediately began teaching fifth grade in the White Bear Lake school district. Later in life she would go on to receive her Masters from St. Mary’s and switch to teaching her favorite subject, science, in middle school. She was also a piano teacher to many in the Birchwood neighborhood.

She and Jed moved to Birchwood on the lake’s south side to raise their family. Never one to sit on the sidelines, she served the community as the Mayor of Birchwood, a member of the League of Women Voters, as an election judge, and on various county boards. Her social life was just as active. She belonged to several long running bridge and book clubs, attended classical music concerts throughout her life, was an avid gardener, and was always organizing events and gatherings. On top of that, she and Jed traveled extensively and kept a beloved cabin on the Whitefish Chain. In later years they added a winter getaway in Marco Island, FL.

Gretchen had a firm belief in helping make the world a better place for all it’s inhabitants. She did so by serving as a board member of the Mardag Foundation for 20 years, contributing generously to several noted non-profits, donated her time to various charities, raised an ever expanding array of pets, and made sure her home was a second home for all of her children’s friends.

She will be dearly missed by family and friends. Her love of family, her generosity, her warm embrace of new experiences and strangers (who would soon be friends), her love of the natural world, and her gratitude will not be forgotten.

Memorials preferred to the charities she supported. Nature Conservancy, MN Raptor Center, Bell Museum, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, or Valley Outreach.

A memorial service/celebration of life will be held at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in Stillwater, MN on Saturday April 12, 2025. Visitation starting at 1, service at 2.