Gretchen Rasmussen Ragsdale, 83, who was born and grew up in Coeur d'Alene, died Jan. 12, 2012, from the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Gretchen drew great strength from her religious beliefs, often sharing her joy of being a Christian by calling friends and family members to sing her "hymn for the day."

Gretchen was born in 1928 in Coeur d'Alene to Richard and Iverina Rasmussen. The youngest of nine children, she was the last surviving sibling. She graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1946 and the University of Montana in 1950.

Gretchen married Carlyle Ragsdale in 1951 and they moved to Seattle. Gretchen taught first and second grade for 24 years in the Northshore School District. After retiring she wrote extensively about the importance of public schools, as well as the challenges faced by those with attention deficit disorder. She lost her husband in 1994.

She is survived by her four children and six grandchildren. Her surviving relatives in Coeur d'Alene include her niece, Roberta Larsen and nephew Roger Rasmussen.

Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at the Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church in Seattle, where she was a longtime member.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in her memory to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Contributions, J5-200, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109; or the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090.