Ashleigh Michelle Rettig

Ashleigh Michelle Rettig was born on September 23, 1990 in Alexandria, MN. As a child she attended Carlos Elementary where she made several life-long friends. Ashleigh’s favorite childhood activities included reading books, watching the Great American Country top 20 countdown and documenting every song, and taking annual trips to Duluth with her family.

Ashleigh graduated from Jefferson High School in Alexandria in 2009. She went on to pursue her college education and ultimately a career in accounting. Her attention to detail and ability to understand complex systems made her a perfect fit for that line of work. She loved her job in the central finance department of Douglas County.

Ashleigh embodied the phrase “work hard, play hard.” For nearly the past decade she worked her second job at CashWise Liquor to help fund her many passions and adventures. She was so ambitious. She made it her mission to visit all 50 states, as well as every Minnesota state park and national park. She was well on her way to accomplishing all of those things.

Ashleigh’s adventures included camping, hiking, kayaking, sailing, visiting new or favorite breweries and wineries, cheering on the Wild, and seeing all her favorite bands live in concert. She was so passionate about music and could always find a song to fit any situation. Ashleigh was also a skilled photographer and documented all of her adventures through the pictures she took. She had a particular love for landscape photography and had a gift for finding a beautiful shot anywhere, anytime.

Between adventures, Ashleigh enjoyed spending time at home with her loving husband Evan and their cats Charlie and Toki. She loved a good book, puzzle, board game, television series, or just snuggling with a blanket on the couch. Ashleigh was also very passionate about gardening. She was so proud of her beautiful flowers and enjoyed having fresh produce on hand all summer long. Ashleigh loved spending time in the kitchen cooking with Evan, experimenting with new recipes and finding comfort in old favorites.

Above all else, Ashleigh was a great friend to so many. She loved sharing her adventures and her passions with others. She simply wanted her loved ones to be happy and she would do anything to help a friend in need. She gave the most thoughtful gifts for birthdays and holidays, and sometimes for no reason at all, just because it made her feel good to do something nice for someone. Ashleigh always appreciated the kindness and acceptance her friends showed her.

Ashleigh moved on to her next big adventure on November 25^th, just a few short months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She lived a passionate, fun, and fulfilling life, and while it was tragically cut short by this evil disease, the impact she had on so many people will keep her spirit alive and well.

“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough” -Rabindranath Tagore

Ashleigh is survived by her husband Evan Pearson, her parents Bruce and Jolette Rettig, her siblings Nic (Michelle) Remer, Shannon (Matt) Chan, Blake Rettig, and Ben Rettig, her grandmother Paula Thompson, her grandfather Martin Rettig, nieces Piper and Scarlett, nephews Aidan, Cooper, and Jack, uncle Mark (Pam) Rettig, aunt Joanne (Mike) Bianco, uncle John (Sherae) Thompson, and her fur babies Charlie and Toki.

She is preceded in death by her infant sister Victoria, grandfather Robert Thompson, grandmother Lucille Rettig, and cousin Cheryl Rettig.

Ashleigh will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her, but if we all embrace the “Live Like Ashleigh” mantra, we’ll all enjoy life a little bit more and the world will be a better place for it.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022, 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue on Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM with a Service of Remembrance at 2:00 PM all at the Anderson Funeral Home.   Memorials preferred to the Marshmallow Animal Shelter in Detroit Lakes, MN or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.