Lucille Rettig

Lucille Erna Rettig, Alexandria, passed away on January 10, 2009 at the age of 71 years. Lucille was born August 28, 1937 in Ceylon, MN to Otto and Edna (Sturm) Daleske. Born a premature infant, weighing little more than three pounds, she was quickly baptized at home. As a teenager, Lucy was confirmed into the Christian faith at St. Peter?s Lutheran Church in Ceylon, MN. She graduated high school in 1955. After graduation, she attended the College of Medical Technique in Minneapolis. Completing a ten-month program, Lucille received her Medical Laboratory Technician diploma. While working for Dr. A. M. Jensen in Brownton, MN, she met her future husband, Martin Rettig. They were married on June 2, 1957 at St. Peter?s Lutheran Church in Ceylon, MN on June 2, 1957. This union was blessed with three children, Mark in 1958, Bruce in 1961, and Joanne in 1964. Lucille enjoyed working with people and had a very pleasant personality. She worked as a waitress for several years in Brownton before the family moved to Alexandria in 1973. Lucy was also a waitress in Alexandria before obtaining her Nurses Aid certification. Knute Nelson was like a second home during her many years of employment until her retirement in July of 1999. Lucy had a love of music. She was gifted with a beautiful singing voice and also learned to play the piano and the clarinet as a child. It was a pleasure to hear her sing in the choir while she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Brownton and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Teaching Sunday school was a way to share her faith with children. Crafting, including crocheting, latch hooking, and counted cross-stitch were very relaxing, but her passion was books. Working at the library book sale every August gave her great enjoyment. Weekly book club meetings were a wonderful way to spend some quality time with her daughter Joanne. Trips to the North Shore with son Bruce?s family were an annual fall event for many years. She really looked forward to the visits with son Mark and family in New Hartford, NY. Holidays with all of her family together made her very proud. She was known for her love, kindness, generosity, and her beautiful smile. Everyone who knew her will truly miss her. Lucille is remembered lovingly by her husband Martin, son Mark Rettig and wife Pamela of New Hartford, NY, son Bruce Rettig and wife Jolette of Carlos, MN, daughter Joanne Bianco and husband Michael of Alexandria, MN; grandchildren Brandon Rettig of New Hartford, NY, Nicole Rettig of St. Paul, MN, Shannon Rettig of Kensington, MN, Ashleigh, Blake, and Benjamin Rettig, all of Carlos, MN, Antonio Bianco and wife Casey of St. Cloud, MN, and Quintin and Dijon Bianco of Alexandria, MN; sister Mary Klopp and husband Jim of Glencoe, MN; sister-in-law Deloris Daleske of Ceylon, MN; and many relatives and friends. Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Edna Daleske, brother Carl Daleske and infant brother Vernon Daleske, granddaughters Victoria Rose Rettig and Cheryl RaVaye Rettig. Funeral services were held on January 14, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Pastor John Peshek officiating. Interment was at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Carlos, MN. Pallbearers were her grandchildren: Brandon Rettig, Nicole, Shannon, and Ashleigh Rettig, Antonio Bianco, and her nephew David Klopp. Honorary Pallbearers were her grandchildren: Blake and Benjamin Rettig, and Quintin and Dijon Bianco. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.