Wilma Rettke, 91, of Odin died on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Health System Fairmont.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022, at St. Paul’s EV Lutheran Church in St. James with Rev. Jim Renz officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

Burial will be at a later date at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Memorials are preferred and may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

You may send the family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com.

Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.

Surrounded by loving family, Wilma Darlene Rettke was called to her heavenly home at the age of 91 on March 18, 2022. Born June 1, 1930, she was the second of three children born to Bertha (Rosenau) and Paul Krueger of St. James.

Wilma was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She graduated from St. James High School in 1948 with honors. Wilma was united in marriage to Erwin H. Rettke on February 25, 1949. They were members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in St. James. Their marriage was blessed with three sons and five daughters. Wilma and Erwin farmed near St. James and

Wilma and Erwin farmed near St. James and Lewisville until purchasing a farm in rural Odin in 1958. Mom worked side by side with Dad on the family farm. After his death in 2004, she continued living there until December of 2021.

Always planting a large vegetable garden, Mom enjoyed sharing the bounty of it with family and friends. In addition, she grew beautiful flowers, was an excellent seamstress and skillful cook and baker. Her homemade doughnuts, bread, apple ’stuff’ and mulberry rhubarb pie were among family favorites.

Mom was a member of the Donald Larson V.F.W. Post 9607 Women’s Auxiliary of Butterfield, holding the office of president for a time. She was a seasonal employee at Hiebert’s Greenhouse in Mt. Lake, a job she enjoyed for 18 years. Wilma enjoyed watching her children’s and

Wilma enjoyed watching her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and also enjoyed watching the Vikings and listening to Twins games.

Wilma is survived by David (Sandee) Rettke, Odin and children: Ryan Rettke, Brooke (Billy) Serbousek, Bridgette (Andy) Geiger and Reid Rettke; Joan Rettke, Phoenix, Ariz. and sons: Shelby Pankratz and Jeremy (Lee) Pankratz; Jean Rettke, Winona; Douglas (Kate) Rettke, Hutchinson and children: Matthew (Alexa) Rettke and Meghan Rettke; Julie Rettke, Crystal and children: Ehrick (Jennifer) Holland and Ehrin (Ryan) Johnson; Darrell (Chris) Rettke, Butterfield and children: Travis Behrends-deceased, Tiffanie (Kevin) Kolander, Casey (Neil) Christopherson and Mitchell (Sammy) Rettke; Jodie (Tom) Bagniewski, Cochrane, Wis. and children: Ben Bagniewski and Becca Bagniewski; Jennifer (Kurt) Kolander, Madison, Wis. and sons: Samuel Kolander and Jakob Kolander. In addition, she had 19 great-grandchildren.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Erwin (Butch), her parents, brothers Walter and Harold, and grandson Travis. Mom will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. We find comfort knowing she is reunited in Heaven with her loved ones.