Vincent Rettig, 86, a well-known farmer and rancher in the Alexander area, most recently of Williston, passed away Friday, May 8, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Williston.
His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston. The Rev. Dennis Schafer will officiate and interment will follow at the Alexander Cemetery.
Vincent Gregory Rettig was born on the family farm near Alexander on May 25, 1922. He was the second of five children born to Nicholas and Loretto (Hastings) Rettig.
Vince was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Alexander. He was an excellent student and completed his first eight years of school in just five years. He then went to work and helped support his family during the Depression. He served as a member of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) where he willingly contributed all of his earnings to his parents to help support their family during the Depression. He was later able to return to high school and graduated from Alexander High School in 1944. Vince married Agnes Pesek on April 3, 1945, in Alexander. They made their home across the road from the original Rettig family homestead for 60 years until moving to an assisted-living facility in Williston. The Kensington soon became “home” to Vince and Agnes where many friendships were formed, games of whist were played and days of music enjoyed.
One of Vince’s biggest accomplishments was being selected the Outstanding Young Farmer of North Dakota in 1958. Accompanied by John and Leone Schmitz, the expense paid trip to Indianapolis, Ind., was one of the highlights of his life. Vince was a dairy farmer for many years before going to work at the Sitting Bull Auction in 1965. He had a love for animals, making sure they were always fed and cared for properly. After 31 years, Vince retired and pursued a lifelong passion for gardening. He soon became known as “The Pumpkin Man’’ and hundreds of pumpkins were harvested each year for several seasons always vying to raise a bigger one than the year before. Every spring a special effort was made to present Agnes with the first bouquet of crocus flowers that could be found.
Vince was a member of Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, Church Council, 50 years in the Saddle Club, McKenzie County Fair Board, Alexander Lions, Williston Jaycee’s, Alexander Firemen and served many terms on the Alexander School Board. He was very proud of the Lewis and Clark Museum to which he was a board member and volunteered numerous hours of his time to ensure the museum was ready for every season’s tourists. Several summers were spent traveling to various horseshoe tournaments in North Dakota for which his accomplishments are shown by his many trophies.
Vince saw the best in everyone and strangers quickly became friends. His best days were those when he was surrounded by friends and family. As a farmer turned gardener, he took pride harvesting vegetables from his garden and sharing them far and wide. His perfect end to a day was enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with Agnes. Together they would reflect on nights in their younger days when an evening out meant Indian Hill Hall, dancing and playing cards. In his youth, Vince was a member of a dance band that often performed for these events. In later years, many hours were spent reading and listening to old time music.
Surviving Vince are six children, Jim (Linda) Big Sandy, Mont.; Mary, Missoula, Mont.; Bob, Alexander; Ed (Mary) Alexander; Kim (Greg DeLorme), Williston; and Pam, Bismarck; his sister, Mary Miller of Dickinson; and sisters-in-law Caroline Rettig, Dickinson; and Eva Rettig, Taylor, N.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
“Grandpa Vince” will also be missed by 12 grandchildren; Jim’s children, Shawn (Tiffany) and Shannon (Dean) Rhyneer; Bob’s children, Kayla and Heidi; Ed’s children, Ellie (Garry) Papineau, Melissa (Monte) Viall, Travis (Missy), and Amanda and fianc©e (Jared Overby); Kim’s children, Jason (Sarah), Alecia, Scott and Michael.
Grandpa Vince was also blessed with 12 great-grandchildren, Caden and Tylynn Rettig; Tevin, Devin and Tahya Papineau; Brady, Britne and Brock Viall; Matthew and Nathan Rettig; Peyton Overby; Kallon DeLorme; and one great-great grandchild, Ryleigh (Nathan Rettig).
Vince was an honest and hard working man who was loved by many and will be missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Agnes, on April 5, 2009, just two days after their 64th wedding anniversary; parents (Nick & Loretto Rettig), his three brothers, Ambrose, Jerry and Tom; and an infant sister.
Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Williston on Monday from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and for the hour preceding the service at the church on Tuesday. A rosary service open to family and friends will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday evening at the Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel.
Fulkerson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family with arrangements. Friends may sign an online register at www.fulkersons.com
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