Leonard A Rettig 18 Feb 1918 - 20 Mar 2005

RETTIG, GRAF, LEONHARDT, HERTEL, HOUSER

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 3/27/2005 at 11:34:35

Leonard August Rettig, 87, of Middle Amana, died unexpectedly Monday, March 20, 2005, at his home after a short illness with lung cancer. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Middle Amana Church, with Elders Jon Childers and Larry Hertel officiating. Burial will be in the Middle Amana Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 25, at the church. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, is in charge of arrangements.
Leonard was born in Middle Amana on Feb. 18, 1918, the son of August and Susanna (Graf) Rettig. He attended school in communal Amana until age 14, when he was assigned by the governing elders to work in the community's farming operation. At age 19, after the Amana Society abandoned communalism, he became the seventh employee of the renowned appliance manufacturer, Amana Refrigeration.
Leonard possessed an amazing knowledge of the physical world. With only a seventh grade education he was instrumental in the design of the entire appliance assembly systems, eventually rising to the position of plant engineer. He retired in 1983. During his retirement years, he continued to amaze family and friends when he developed a love of opera, photography, and furniture construction. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter.
Leonard made many friends during his long life. His smile and congenial disposition endeared him to everyone he met. He was an active volunteer in many community organizations, including service as a firefighter and member of several boards and committees. He was also a member of the Amana Church Society, AARP, the Amana Heritage Society, and the Amana Arts Guild.
On Feb. 18, 1939, he married Lina C. Leonhardt. Three children were born to this happy union: Lawrence L. Rettig (Wilma) of South Amana, Bonnie J. Hertel (Stan) of Middle Amana, and Rosemary A. Houser (David) of Moatsville, West, Va. These family members survive him. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Robin Rettig, Keegan Houser and Kaleigh Houser; a sister, Elizabeth Parvin; brothers-in-law, Harry Leonhardt and Frank Parvin; sisters-in-law, Rose Leonhardt and Mary Leonhardt; and countless friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be contributed to the Amana Church Society, PO Box 107, Middle Amana, IA 52307; to Hospice, Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Cedar Rapids Gazette
Edition: F Page: 4B
24 March 2005I
Record Number: 1487024