Gary Retzlaff
d. February 1, 2023
Gary Retzlaff Sr, age 76, of Clara City passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at his home with family by his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 1:00 PM at St. Clara Catholic Church in Clara City with interment following in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service. Livestream Link :
https://www.ourlivingwater.org/garyretzlaff.html
Gary Retzlaff Sr. was born on September 30, 1946, the son of Ervin and Florence (Arndt) Retzlaff in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm near Cosmos in Meeker County. Gary was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He graduated from the Cosmos High School in 1964. Gary was drafted into the United States Marine Corps on January 12, 1966. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged on January 11, 1972. He joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1974 and served until attaining an honorable military retirement in 2004 while serving as a Brigade Food Service Supervisor.
Gary was united in marriage to Beverly (Fried) Noble in August of 1994. He has four children, Beth, Chip, Kim and Nikki. Adding to that are three stepsons, Todd, Scott and Jason Noble. Gary and Bev made their home together in Lake Lillian for 16 years and then moved to Clara City in 2010, where they currently reside. Gary worked most of his life in sales. He sold cookware, insurance and autos. He spent more than 25 years in the auto industry.
Gary was very active in the community. He served as Mayor of Lake Lillian for six years. Gary held various positions on church councils. He was a member of the Eagles, Lions and Knights of Columbus. He served as past commander of Legion Post #545 in Spicer, Minnesota. Gary was passionate about helping others. He was a gardener for God’s Garden in Clara City, providing fresh produce for those in need. Gary was a grateful member of AA for more than 43 years.
Gary enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved all sports and was his grandchildren’s greatest fan, often beating the bus to the games. Gary also enjoyed playing golf, fishing, hunting and camping at the lake. He had a ready smile and never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed.
Gary is survived by his wife, Beverly of Clara City; children, Elizabeth Retzlaff of Minneapolis, Gary Jr “Chip” (Mary) Retzlaff of Newport News, VA, Kimberly (Jeff) Nelson of Albert Lea, Nichole Menk (Steve Butterfield) of Wood Lake; step sons, Todd (Kristin) Noble of Belgrade, Scott Noble of Montevideo, Jason (Stephanie) Noble of Clara City; 14 grandchildren, Cassandra Retzlaff, Seifidin Retzlaff, John Retzlaff, Adam Nelson, Sydney Nelson, Lydia (Steven) Johnson, Benjamin Menk, Shawn (Sarah) Noble, Brenton Nesemeier, Alexis Noble, Xavier Noble, Griffen Noble, Travis Anderson; six great grandchildren; siblings, Larry (Linda) Retzlaff, Carol (Eldon) Aalderks, James (Karae) Retzlaff, Diane (John) Sladek; brothers-in-law, Bruce (Pat) Fried, Gary (Mary) Fried; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Florence Retzlaff; father and mother-in-law, August Jr. and Norma Fried; grandson, Zachary Noble.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Project Turnabout or CentraCare – Willmar Cancer Center.
Gary Retzlaff Sr. was born on September 30, 1946, the son of Ervin and Florence (Arndt) Retzlaff in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm near Cosmos in Meeker County. Gary was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He graduated from the Cosmos High School in 1964. Gary was drafted into the United States Marine Corps on January 12, 1966. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged on January 11, 1972. He joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1974 and served until attaining an honorable military retirement in 2004 while serving as a Brigade Food Service Supervisor.
Gary was united in marriage to Beverly (Fried) Noble in August of 1994. He has four children, Beth, Chip, Kim and Nikki. Adding to that are three stepsons, Todd, Scott and Jason Noble. Gary and Bev made their home together in Lake Lillian for 16 years and then moved to Clara City in 2010, where they currently reside. Gary worked most of his life in sales. He sold cookware, insurance and autos. He spent more than 25 years in the auto industry.
Gary was very active in the community. He served as Mayor of Lake Lillian for six years. Gary held various positions on church councils. He was a member of the Eagles, Lions and Knights of Columbus. He served as past commander of Legion Post #545 in Spicer, Minnesota. Gary was passionate about helping others. He was a gardener for God’s Garden in Clara City, providing fresh produce for those in need. Gary was a grateful member of AA for more than 43 years.
Gary enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved all sports and was his grandchildren’s greatest fan, often beating the bus to the games. Gary also enjoyed playing golf, fishing, hunting and camping at the lake. He had a ready smile and never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed.
Gary is survived by his wife, Beverly of Clara City; children, Elizabeth Retzlaff of Minneapolis, Gary Jr “Chip” (Mary) Retzlaff of Newport News, VA, Kimberly (Jeff) Nelson of Albert Lea, Nichole Menk (Steve Butterfield) of Wood Lake; step sons, Todd (Kristin) Noble of Belgrade, Scott Noble of Montevideo, Jason (Stephanie) Noble of Clara City; 14 grandchildren, Cassandra Retzlaff, Seifidin Retzlaff, John Retzlaff, Adam Nelson, Sydney Nelson, Lydia (Steven) Johnson, Benjamin Menk, Shawn (Sarah) Noble, Brenton Nesemeier, Alexis Noble, Xavier Noble, Griffen Noble, Travis Anderson; six great grandchildren; siblings, Larry (Linda) Retzlaff, Carol (Eldon) Aalderks, James (Karae) Retzlaff, Diane (John) Sladek; brothers-in-law, Bruce (Pat) Fried, Gary (Mary) Fried; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Florence Retzlaff; father and mother-in-law, August Jr. and Norma Fried; grandson, Zachary Noble.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Project Turnabout or CentraCare – Willmar Cancer Center.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Retzlaff, please visit our flower store.