Fred Valentine Retterath, 92, of Austin, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, at the Austin Medical Center.

Fred was born Feb. 13, 1918, in Stacyville, Iowa to Michael and Rose (Wagner) Retterath. Fred was in service from 1942 to 1945. He was Staff Sargeant of the Sharp Shooters in the Asia Pacific, 24th division of the 21st Infantry regiment and was wounded at the Battle of Leyte.

On Sept. 4, 1948, he was united in marriage to Gertrude Firsching in Stacyville. The couple then resided in Austin. Fred was a meat cutter at Hormel for 35 years. He was a member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church and the VFW. Fred enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, traveling, woodworking and gardening. He was also a handyman.

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude Retterath, Austin; children: Louise (Kenneth) Hrabak, Austin; Linda Ness, Coon Rapids; Lavonne Retterath, Coon Rapids; Don (Traci) Retterath, Austin; Dan Retterath, Maplewood; Julie Carberry, Plymouth; Janine (Michael) Daum, Eagan; Patrick (Pam) Retterath, Austin; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and two sisters.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. There will be a 5:30 p.m. wake service on Thursday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and VFW Post #1216.

The casket bearers will be Alayna Carberry, Terry Schaefer, Karla Luedtke, Michael Hrabak, Jeff Retterath and Jaret Retterath.