Delores Retzlaff

Delores J. Retzlaff, age 88, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2022 with her loving husband of 68 years by her side.

Delores was born on December 31, 1933 in Ripon, WI, the first daughter of Fred and Edna (Fude) Siewert. She went to work at age 16 at Admanco in Ripon and continued to work there in silk screening and as a supervisor in that department for 50 years. On July 24, 1954 she married the love of her life, Larry Retzlaff at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ (formerly known as First Ev. Lutheran Church) in Ripon. Although not having children of their own, Delores and Larry promised Larry’s brother, Arnold Retzlaff, to help raise his six children after he passed away from cancer at age 35. They took great joy in being able to take the kids snowmobiling, boating and waterskiing, snow skiing in upper Michigan and Rib Mountain in Wausau, and loved to load up the Minnie Winnebago for family trips to Great America in IL and also Wisconsin Dells. Living just down the street from Betty and the kids they were always close by to help and guide the kids, which they took great pride in. She also enjoyed fishing, polka dancing with Larry, and was talented at knitting and crocheting, making everyone in the family an afghan as a gift.

Delores is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Larry Retzlaff; niece, Linda (Dennis) Towne of Ripon, WI; nephews, Douglas (LeighAnn) Retzlaff of Palmetto, FL, David Retzlaff of Ripon, WI, Duane (Judy) Retzlaff of Appleton, WI and Dean (Lisa) Retzlaff of Fond du Lac, WI, also Ken, Calvin and Karen Fischer, Jim and Jill Fude, Janine Siewert, Dwight and Lisa Grams; two brothers, Ken (Joan) Fude of Rosendale, WI and Bob Siewert of Fond du Lac, WI; a sister, Shirley Grams of Ripon, WI; sister-in-law, Lorraine Fischer of Ripon, WI; great-nieces and nephews, Tanya (Todd) O’Connor, Eric (Heather) Towne, Doug Jr. and Kyle Retzlaff, Dakin (Lisa) Retzlaff, Samantha and Katie Retzlaff; great-great nephews, Everett, Harrison and Charlie O’Connor and Nickoli Retzlaff. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Edna Siewert; a brother, Charles; sister, Betty Lou; brothers-in-law, Arnold Retzlaff, Earl Fischer, and Hank Grams; sister-in-law, Sue Siewert; nephew, Dale Retzlaff; and her best four-legged friend, Chantey.

Visitation for Delores will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022, from 9:30 until 11:00 am at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, 343 Scott St., Ripon, WI 54971.

Funeral service for Delores will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 25, 2022 at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ in Ripon, with Rev. Dr. Kevin P. Mundell officiating. You may view a livestream of the funeral service at 11:00 am here LIVESTREAM. Interment will follow at Liberty Prairie Cemetery in Pickett, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, 343 Scott St., Ripon, WI 54971.

Delores’ family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rev. Dr. Kevin P. Mundell for his comforting visits during Delores’ last days, as well as Agnesian Hospice Hope of Green Lake for their wonderful care of Delores.