Prior to her legislative duties, Rep. Bangert worked as a Job Coach with STL Youth Jobs, Director of Education for Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis, Assistant Auditor for St. Louis County Government, and Administrative Assistant to the St. Louis County Council. Rep. Bangert previously served as the President of the Women Legislators of Missouri, a bi-partisan group of elected women in the legislature. Gretchen currently serves as the Midwestern Regional Director of Women in Government.

Volunteering in her community is extremely important to Gretchen. She has spent countless hours serving as a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, as well as Chairman of the Pre-School Board at Atonement Lutheran; member and leader of numerous education and city committees; and PTA leadership. She also formed and served as the Executive Director of the Marching Wildcat Booster Organization, and served as a coach for youth basketball, soccer, and softball.

Rep. Bangert was born in Evanston, Illinois, and moved to the St. Louis area as a young child. She then moved to Florissant, where she graduated from McCluer North High School. She went on to receive an associate's degree in Business Management and Accounting.

She currently resides in Florissant with her husband, Mike. Together they have four children. Gretchen and her husband attend Atonement Lutheran Church and her entire family is active with various community organizations, including a charity basketball tournament which they started in 2010.