Service Information
Elaine Rettig, age 86, formerly of Brownton/Winthrop, presently residing at Auburn Home in Waconia, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.
Funeral Service will be Monday, August 13, 2018, 11:00 A.M. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop with interment in the Winthrop Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 12, 2018, from 4:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. at the church in Winthrop. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Obituary
Elaine Irene (Messner) Rettig was born February 16, 1932, in Alfsborg Township, Sibley County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Joseph and Marguerite (Clemans) Messner. On March 21, 1951, Elaine graduated from the School of Agriculture, which was then a high school associated with the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Elaine was united in marriage to Raymond Carl Rettig at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Penn Township, McLeod County, on April 29, 1953. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew’s on November 18, 1962. Elaine was a member of St. Matthew’s Ladies Aid and also served as an officer for many years. She remained a member of St. Matthew's until March 16, 1992, when they transferred to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop. This marriage was blessed with four children, Terry, Perry, Ricky, and Lanny. After marrying, Elaine and Ray began farming on the family farm Ray had purchased a few months earlier and they later purchased the former Scharmer farm across the road. They worked side-by-side until they retired in the early 1990s. During harvest season, Elaine worked on the sanitation crew at Green Giant in Glencoe, Minnesota. In September 2011, they moved to Winthrop, Minnesota. Elaine and Ray shared 61 years of marriage together before Ray passed away on October 18, 2014.
Elaine’s favorite hobbies were sewing and quilting. Each of her children and grandchildren received quilts they will always cherish. She also donated many quilts to charity. Other favorite pastimes were gardening with Ray and fishing with her family. For over 20 years, she looked forward to the fishing vacations near Blackduck, Minnesota with her family which eventually included grandchildren too. Over the years, Elaine canned and froze many, many quarts of garden produce so that is was available for the meals she graciously prepared for family and friends; she made sure nobody left her house hungry. After retirement, she enjoyed playing cards and socializing with the Senior Citizens of Winthrop and her other friends.
Elaine Rettig, formerly of Brownton/Winthrop, presently residing at Auburn Home in Waconia, Minnesota; She passed away on August 8, 2018, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, Minnesota, at the age of 86 years. Blessed be her memory.
Elaine is survived by her loving family:
Sons, Terry Rettig and his wife, Lynette of Cologne, MN,
Perry Rettig and his wife, Betty of Curtiss, WI,
Ricky Rettig and his wife, Cathy of Indianapolis, IN,
Lanny Rettig and his wife, Linda of Chaska, MN;
Grandchildren, Michelle (Rod) Davila of Mayer, MN; Christopher (Elinor) Rettig of Minnetonka, MN; Jamie (Jason) Lustfield of Coon Rapids, MN; Beth (Dustin) Goulet of Marshfield , WI, Trisha Rettig (husband John Raway) of Manhattan, KS, Lindsey (Subhani) Syed of Chandler, AZ; Dusty Rettig of Fargo, ND , Anthony "AJ" Rettig of Houghton, MI;
Great-Grandchildren, Makenzie and Braydon Lustfield, McKayla Rettig;
Step Great-Grandson, Dominic Davila;
Brother, Marlyn (Lois) Messner;
Sister-in-law Edna Rettig;
Brother-in-law Martin Rettig;
Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.
Elaine was preceded in death by her Husband, Ray Rettig, Parents, Joe and Marguerite Messner; Sisters, Delores (Cornelius) Messerli; Rose Alice (Roy) Howk; Avice (Willmer) Lehrke; Brothers, Amos Messner, Roland (Melva) Messner, and Leo Messner; Sisters-in-law, Ruth (Erwin) Homan, Lucille Rettig; Brother-in-law, Otto Rettig.
Paul Rettig says
My sympathies to all in the family … I know it has been a tough time of late.
That said, my thoughts also go back to the many fun times and visits – and those wonderful home cooked meals she prepared back on the farm. She patched me up more than once when I took a clumsy fall, and somehow made it feel OK so I could get right back to what we had been doing before. She worried when I married young, and was happy for us when it worked out.
Again, our condolences, and we are sorry we will not be able to attend.
betty rettig says
we will love and miss you forever mom
Donna Meyer says
Dear Cousins, Charles and I send our condolences to you for the loss of your Mother; I am sure you will miss her very much. My most vivid memories will always be of working with her in the old kitchen when Terry and Perry were very young. Somehow it was the perfect setting for turning out the foods we remember today in dreams – sausages, pickles, etc. She really knew exactly how to fry the fish your Dad caught. There always was abundance of work and food!!! We wish we could be with you for her memorial services but will always share fond memories. Love to all, Donna
Dan & Deb Grilo says
Rick & Cathy, and the Rettig Family –
Sad to hear of your loss. Deb and I extend our condolences to all of you, and we’re keeping you in our prayers.
Love to all.
Kathy Peters says
I know your Mother will be missed. I am praying for the family as you go through this difficult time. May God Bless you all!