Joseph “Joe” Retterath

1937-2020

Joseph “Joe” G. Retterath, 83, a Township of Deer Creek resident, died on Saturday, Nov. 28 at The Homeplace of Dorchester where he had resided for the past one and a half years. Memorial services for Joe will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Stetsonville with Father Michael Hayden officiating. The Stetsonville American Legion Post # 519 will perform military rites. Interment of his cremated remains will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Stetsonville. Visitation times will be from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Due to COVID concerns, masks will be required at the visitation and funeral services. A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2021.

Joe was born on the family homestead on Mar. 19, 1937 in the Town of Deer Creek, the son of Ambrose and Helen (Schneider) Retterath. He attended Stetsonville Elementary schools and was a 1955 graduate of Medford High School. He was married on Sept. 8, 1962 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Whittlesey to Kathy Marie Boeck.

Joe was a U.S. Army veteran having served from 1955-1957. After the military, he managed his family farm in the Town of Deer Creek for many years. He and his wife owned and operated the Retterath Cattle Leasing as well. Most recently, he had a portable log sawing business until his Alzheimer’s disease progressed and he retired his sawmill. He served on many boards including Taylor Credit Union where he was a past Chairman, Centennial Community Center and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Joe was so passionate about helping others that he received the 10-gallon blood donor award from Memorial Hospital Blood Bank Drive. He was an avid hunter and fisherman having enjoyed many travels with his family and friends out west and to Canada to enjoy the outdoors. He also spent time making maple syrup, cutting firewood, sawing logs and a good game of sheepshead.

Joe lived by the motto of, “Too much fun is barely enough.” He lived this to the fullest no matter if it was work or play. This is evident by the stacks of lumber on the farm, the reserve of beer in the shop and the piles of deer horns from all the hunts. Some of this required him to use another motto; “It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.” Now Joe has moved onto a better place and can start having fun with all the old friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Stetsonville; children, Deb (Larry) Fierke of Stetsonville, Vicki (Lee) Waldhart of Stetsonville, Jane (Dale) Oldenhoff of Almond and Tim (Stacy) Retterath of Stetsonville; grandchildren, Connie (significant other, Lani) Fierke, Kristi (Pat) Dixon, Kelsey Fierke, Ellen (James) DesJarlais, Casey (Tater) Waldhart, Marki (significant other, Jeff) Waldhart, Nick and Nathan Retterath; great-grandchildren, Dray Vermaat, Billy and Joey Dixon. Also surviving is his sister, Lila Czarnezki of Medford.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leonard Retterath; in-laws, Milan Czarnezki, Ron and Jeanne Ching.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be given to the family for a future donation to Alzheimer’s care support. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice. com.

Paid Obituary 98012