24 Facts About Gretchen Quie

Gretchen Marie Quie was an American artist, painter, potter, writer, and advocate for the arts.

Gretchen Quie opened the Governor's Mansion to the general public through programs including, "Night at the Mansion," which chose Minnesotans through a lottery to spend the night at the residence.

Al and Gretchen Quie invited a family of Vietnamese refugees to live at the Governor's Residence's renovated carriage house to encourage Minnesotans to sponsor more refugees.

Gretchen Quie's father, Sam Hansen, was a school administrator who relocated the family to Minnesota.

Gretchen Quie Hansen graduated from the now defunct Central High School in Minneapolis in 1945.

Gretchen Quie then majored in art at St Olaf College and spent a summer tern at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan.

Gretchen Quie met her husband, Al Quie, a retired United States Navy pilot while at St Olaf.

The couple married in June 1948 and Gretchen Quie left St Olaf one year before her planned graduation.

Gretchen Quie continued painting often interpreting familiar scenes around the farm and the Rice County area.

Al Gretchen Quie was elected to the Minnesota State Senate while working the farm.

Gretchen Quie designed much of the artwork installed in Saint Stephen Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, including the church's stained glass windows, mosaics, and tapestries.

Gretchen Quie established a women's art guild at the church and served as the President of the Montgomery County Potters from 1976 to 1977.

Gretchen Quie resumed her art studies at the University of Maryland.

Gretchen Quie found the residence in need of repairs and renovations, which were ongoing at the time.

Gretchen Quie created the State Ceremonial Building Council to oversee improvements and renovations to the mansion.

Gretchen Quie founded the 1006 Summit Avenue Society, a volunteer organization created to oversee the ongoing maintenance and remodeling of the Governor's mansion.

In 1981, Gretchen Quie authored "The Governor's Table," a cookbook containing anecdotes and recipes liked by past Governors of Minnesota, which was published by the 1006 Summit Avenue Society.

Gretchen Quie released her autobiography, "In the Potter's Hand," in 1981.

Gretchen Quie is credited with opening the Governor's Mansion to the general public.

Al and Gretchen Quie moved to Minnetonka, Minnesota, in 1983, where she continued to pursue her artistic career.

Gretchen Quie served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the American Refugee Council, Art Education of Minnesota, Committee on Immunization Practices, the Girl Scout Council, KIDS Inc.

Gretchen Quie was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2005, necessitating her retirement from art.

Gretchen Quie died from Parkinson's disease at Folkstone Presbyterian Homes Wayzata, Minnesota, on December 13,2015, at the age of 88.

Gretchen Quie's funeral was held at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minnesota.