Gretchen was born in Waukegan, Illinois; she has lived in Germany, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Arizona.

Her father was a nuclear engineer and her mother a homemaker; she has two brothers Kurt and Derek.

She has held a numerous jobs ranging from working at "The Funny Firm" comedy club in Chicago, to booking psychics on radio stations in Phoenix. It was in the latter job where she was set up on a blind date with future husband, seven hours into their first date, the couple wed and has been married for nearly 15 years.

One of Gretchen’s greatest passions has always been singing. Growing up, she sang in both her school and church choirs. She is currently performing with the Mudd Flaps around Southern California. She has appeared on several television shows including Oprah, Phil Donahue, The Other Half, and VH1's Behind the Music and Partridge Family.