Raymond Rettke

Raymond F. Rettke was born November 11, 1917 in Truman, MN, the son of Henry and Elsie (Sanders) Rettke. He attended Country School in Martin County. Raymond was baptized on December 2, 1917 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Truman and was confirmed on June 12, 1932 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in St. James. He was united in marriage to Maxine Hinrichs at the St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in St. James on September 10, 1941. Raymond farmed his entire life in Watonwan Country. In his younger years Ray liked to hunt and go fishing with his brothers in Canada. He loved to read, was very knowledgeable and enjoyed world history. Raymond enjoyed being on the farm and his time with the many farm pets. Raymond died on Thursday, December 29, 2005 at Pleasent View Good Samaritan Center in St. James at the age of 88 years. He is survived by his special friend - Edna Berndt of St. James; children - Marilyn and husband Larry Larson of Windsor, CO, Bonnie and husband Kenny Kueber of Butterfield, MN, Judith and husband James Anderson of St. James, MN, Roger and wife Beth Rettke of Cass Lake, MN, Bruce and wife Dawn Rettke of Windom, MN, and Susan and husband Jerry Dalen of Wabasha, MN; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a sister - Pearl Haglund of Mt. Lake, MN; a brother - Merton and wife Carol Rettke of Odin, MN; sisters-in-law - Wilma Rettke of Odin, MN, Lois and Paul Sawatzky of St. James, MN, Vera and Paul Boklmann of Danforth, IL, and Ruth Schroeder of The Colony, TX; a brother-in-law - Roger and Barbara Hinrichs of Randolph, MN; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife - Maxine; a grandson - Derek Rettke; brothers - Erwin Rettke and Henry Rettke; and brothers-in-law - Warren Haglund and Herbert Schroeder.