John J. Retterath, 82

Published 10:25 am Wednesday, October 26, 2016

John J. Retterath, 82

John J. Retterath, 82, of Adams, Minnesota, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, at the Adams Healthcare Center.

John Joseph Retterath was born May 9, 1934, in McIntire, Iowa, to Lawrence and Marie (Wettstein) Retterath. He married Betsy Bjork on May 3, 1956, in Johnsburg, Minnesota. They were later divorced. John farmed south of Adams for several years and later moved north of Taopi where he farmed until his retirement. He moved to the city of Adams in the early 1990s.

He loved to play baseball and watch the Minnesota Twins. He liked bowling, fishing and playing cards. He loved his flowers and enjoyed gardening and woodworking. John always had his radio on and liked to listen to country music. One of his favorite things to do was to go for a drive and he enjoyed spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Jenny Blake and Lorraine Kramer, brothers Joe and Tom, brothers-in-law Kenny Goergen and Lynn Webber.

John is survived by his children: Brenda Jorgensen of Spring Valley, Minnesota, Mark Retterath of Austin, Marcia (Rick) Igou of Dexter, Minnesota, Barry Retterath, Nashua, Iowa, Becky (Jim) Miller of Riceville, Iowa, and Beth (David) Wilson of Austin; 13 grandchildren: Brittany Jorgensen, Benjamin Jorgensen, Melissa Tschann, Danielle Tschann, Jason Igou, Samantha (Jonathan) Peterson, Alicia Martin, Cassandra Martin, Garret Retterath, Derek Miller, Morgan Miller, John Miller and Jordan Wilson; two great grandchildren: Landen and Logan Peterson; siblings: Annie (Kenny) Huemann, Louise Goergen, Helen Webber, Theresa (Wally) Watson, Mary (Wayne) Rogne, Liz (Mike) Schik; brother-in-law: Jim Blake; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be at the Adams Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 4 p.m. Visitation will also be at the church for one hour before the service on Thursday.