Retland, Rachel N. (1917-2013)
RETLAND, THORLAND, MATTISON, CURTSINGER, OULMAN
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 3/12/2013 at 19:09:15
Rachel N. Retland
(May 10, 1917 - February 18, 2013)Rachel Retland, age 95, of Thompson, passed away on Monday, February 18, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.
Rachel Norma Retland, daughter of Osmund R and Emma Olive (Mattison) Thorland, was born on May 10, 1917, on the Thorland family farm southwest of Thompson. She was the granddaughter of the Halvor H. Mattisons and great granddaughter of the Hans Mattisons, early settlers of Linden Township.
Baptized at Linden Lutheran Church and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, Thompson, where she became a life-long member, she attended country school at Linden #2 and two years of high school at Thompson before graduating from Forest City High School in 1934 with a Normal Training Certificate. Active in her church and circle and a faithful Sunday school teacher for several years, she also taught country school for a number of years.
After her marriage to Kenneth Retland on April 24, 1938, they made their home on a farm southwest of Thompson until Kenneth's death in 1996. She continued to live there until moving to her home west of Thompson.
Rachel appreciated the goodness of God, family, home, and friends. She was especially fond of butterflies, birds, flowers, and flower gardens. She and Kenneth planted butterfly gardens to enjoy. An avid reader, she read every paper, including ads sent to her, before destroying any of them. She collected poetry and writings and wrote poetry herself. She had the most beautiful handwriting, an art in itself. She and Kenneth were helpmates, whether in field or house, with kids or animals. She liked sewing, making quilts, embroidering, and especially patching little and big boys’ jeans.
Survivors include her children, Francile (Gary), of Thompson, Iowa, Ruby (Chuck) Curtsinger, of McKinney, Texas, Bernie (Chris) of Waco, Texas, and Tim, of Thompson; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Charlotte Oulman, of Thompson, and Mary Thorland, of West Des Moines, Iowa; and a brother- and sister-in-law, Harold and Verna Retland, of Fremont, Nebraska.
Those preceding her in death include her parents; her husband, Kenneth; all ten of her siblings: Harold, Judith, Emmet, Victor, Randolph (her twin brother), Daniel, David, Paul, Irene, and Erling; and one great granddaughter, Rachael; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Rachel lived a life of JOY with J – Jesus, O – Others, and Y - Yourself (herself)
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson with Pastor Elaine Siemsen officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00–7:00 PM, Monday, February 25, 2013, at the church and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson.
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Winter Funeral Home and Cremation Service
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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