RETTERATH, Gertrude Caroline (Firsching) 1929-2019

RETTERATH, FIRSCHING, BIEDERER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 4/28/2024 at 22:43:33

June 25, 1929 - May 22, 2019

Gertrude Caroline “Gert” Retterath, age 89, of Austin, Minnesota, died Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at her home. Gert was born June 25, 1929, in Stacyville, Iowa, to George and Theresa (Biederer) Firsching. She grew up in Stacyville and graduated from Visitation High School.

On September 4, 1948 she married Fred Retterath at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville. They moved to Austin where Fred was working at the Hormel Company until his retirement in 1980. Gert’s faith in the Catholic Church was one of the most important parts of her life. She was a member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin and held various positions in the Rosary Council and was an active participant in church functions.

She was proud of being a homemaker most of her life. Her family was also a most important part of her life and she liked more than anything to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Gert was much loved by them all.

Gert loved to read, garden, and travel. The highlight of her travels was going to Germany and seeing the house her grandfather grew up in, and visiting the cities where her mother lived. She also loved visiting Rome and the Vatican.

Survivors include her children, Louise (Ken) Hrabak, Austin, MN, Linda Ness, Coon Rapids, MN, Lavonne Retterath, Coon Rapids, MN, Don (Traci) Retterath, Missoula, MT, Dan Retterath, Maplewood, MN, Julie Carberry, Plymouth, MN, Janine (Michael) Daum, Eagan, MN, Patrick (Pamela) Retterath, Austin, MN; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Theresa Ungaro, San Pedro, CA.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred; parents; seven siblings, Lawrence Firsching, George Firsching, Alma Retterath, Laura Firshing, Rose Rauen, Margaret Schmitt, and Joseph Firshcing.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 1 pm on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. There will be a 4 pm CCW rosary on Monday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4-7 pm and also one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com

SOURCE: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin, Minnesota