Gretchen Hein Crusick passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 in Belmont, California. She was born and raised in Alliance, Nebraska to William and Emily Hein. Gretchen graduated from Alliance High School in 1949. She attended the University of Nebraska and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1953. She moved to Pueblo, Colorado to teach elementary school. Gretchen met her husband in Pueblo, Colorado where they were both teachers. She married Nick D. Crusick on December 27, 1955 in Alliance, Nebraska. She moved to South San Francisco, California when her husband accepted a teaching job in 1958. In 1967, Gretchen and family moved to Belmont, California where she lived out her life. She worked as a teacher’s aide, substitute teacher and at the local Community College in the Registrar’s office. Gretchen loved watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports, never missing a game. She was the scorekeeper for Carlmont High School’s softball team for over 20 years. Gretchen was active in PEO, her children’s elementary school’s PTA, Carlmont High School Athletics, Belmont Little League, and all organizations her children were involved in. She was proud of her Czechoslovakian heritage and Nebraska, and a diehard University of Nebraska football fan. She made many trips back to Nebraska throughout her life. Gretchen is preceded in death by her husband Nick D. Crusick, and her children Kathryn Crusick and Nick W. Crusick, as well as her parents and brother, Bill Hein, Jr. She is survived by her children Mary (Curt) Ngai, Mark (Brigid) Crusick, and Michael (Jennifer) Crusick, and her grandchildren Kelly, William, Emily, Nicole, Lucas, Logan and her daughter-in-law Adrienne (Nick W.). She is also survived by her sister Carolyn McCall of Lincoln, Nebraska. A Celebration of Life is being held on October 30, 2021 in San Carlos, California.
