Evelyn Godeke Rettinger
January 23, 2018 at 4:43 p.m.
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She passed away Jan. 16, 2018, at Community Hospital, Bremen.
Evelyn married Herman Charles Rettinger on March 16, 1957, at Zoar United Church of Christ, Elberfeld. The two met through Indiana 4-H Congress activities.
Evelyn graduated from Millersburg High School in Warrick County, then from Purdue University in 1959 with a degree in home economics.
She was an avid reader, devoted homemaker and her husband’s helpmate on the farm as they raised their family. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning and freezing garden produce, and trying her hand at developing new food recipes. In 1967 she entered the National Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest and won a trip to California, where her “Tid Bit Topper” recipe was named winner of the Snacks division. She helped promote the contest regionally, which won her a second trip to California to serve as an adviser to the Pillsbury Bake-Off contest in 1970.
She designed and remodeled the farm house that was their home in the late 1970s which was featured on an Indiana Farm Management Tour in 1980. She then oversaw the rebuilding of their home after it was hit by a tornado in 2007.
When her children were young, she served as 4-H, Cub Scout and Bluebird leader. She was a devoted and supportive mother who was always there for her children. Her keen intellect and her personable and insightful sense of humor enriched the lives of those around her.
She served her community by working with Marshall County Homemakers group; serving on the Bourbon Township Library Board; and was active in First United Church of Christ in Bourbon, including teaching Sunday school and Consistory Board member, and served as secretary and treasurer of the church.
She was privileged to serve on the Purdue Board of Trustees from 1973 to 1982. She was presented a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Otis Bowen for her service to the community and the state of Indiana.
Surviving with her husband, Herman, are their children: Roger Rettinger, Bourbon; Jon (Jeanette) Rettinger, Bourbon; Romel (John) Duncan, Noblesville; and Joel (Chandra) Rettinger, Bloomington. Grandchildren include Kelly (Tae Sup) Lee, Houston, Texas; Kyle Rettinger, Bourbon; Turner (fiancée Emily) Duncan, Philadelphia, Pa.; and Mitchell Duncan, Indianapolis.
Also surviving are sisters: Doris (William) Young, Dorothy (Lester) Menke and Marian Miller; brothers: Emil Godeke, Ray (Doris) Godeke and Harold (Joyce) Godeke; sister-in-law, Bettye Godeke; and brothers-in-law, Edgar (Audrey) Kuhlenschmidt and Wayne Drilling.
She was preceded in death by sisters: Mildred (Edwin) Hahn, Mabel (Jim) Blythe, Elsie (Robert) Foerster, Wilma Drilling and Edna Kuhlenschmidt; brother Carl Godeke; brother-in-law Bill Miller; and sister-in-law Marie Godeke.
The family was grateful for the care she received and new friendships she acquired at Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa, after a suffering a stroke in 2013.
The family will hold a private committal service, with burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Pastor Susan Clark of Bourbon First United Church of Christ will be officiating.
A celebration of her life memorial service is being planned for March 10 at the Matchette Senior Center, Bourbon.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, is privileged to be entrusted in arranging the services.
*****
Memorials to First United Church of Christ, 407 N. Main St., Bourbon, IN 46504; or Indiana 4-H Foundation, 515 W. State St., West Lafayette IN 47907.
Condolences may be left at deatonclemensfh.com.
She passed away Jan. 16, 2018, at Community Hospital, Bremen.
Evelyn married Herman Charles Rettinger on March 16, 1957, at Zoar United Church of Christ, Elberfeld. The two met through Indiana 4-H Congress activities.
Evelyn graduated from Millersburg High School in Warrick County, then from Purdue University in 1959 with a degree in home economics.
She was an avid reader, devoted homemaker and her husband’s helpmate on the farm as they raised their family. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning and freezing garden produce, and trying her hand at developing new food recipes. In 1967 she entered the National Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest and won a trip to California, where her “Tid Bit Topper” recipe was named winner of the Snacks division. She helped promote the contest regionally, which won her a second trip to California to serve as an adviser to the Pillsbury Bake-Off contest in 1970.
She designed and remodeled the farm house that was their home in the late 1970s which was featured on an Indiana Farm Management Tour in 1980. She then oversaw the rebuilding of their home after it was hit by a tornado in 2007.
When her children were young, she served as 4-H, Cub Scout and Bluebird leader. She was a devoted and supportive mother who was always there for her children. Her keen intellect and her personable and insightful sense of humor enriched the lives of those around her.
She served her community by working with Marshall County Homemakers group; serving on the Bourbon Township Library Board; and was active in First United Church of Christ in Bourbon, including teaching Sunday school and Consistory Board member, and served as secretary and treasurer of the church.
She was privileged to serve on the Purdue Board of Trustees from 1973 to 1982. She was presented a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Otis Bowen for her service to the community and the state of Indiana.
Surviving with her husband, Herman, are their children: Roger Rettinger, Bourbon; Jon (Jeanette) Rettinger, Bourbon; Romel (John) Duncan, Noblesville; and Joel (Chandra) Rettinger, Bloomington. Grandchildren include Kelly (Tae Sup) Lee, Houston, Texas; Kyle Rettinger, Bourbon; Turner (fiancée Emily) Duncan, Philadelphia, Pa.; and Mitchell Duncan, Indianapolis.
Also surviving are sisters: Doris (William) Young, Dorothy (Lester) Menke and Marian Miller; brothers: Emil Godeke, Ray (Doris) Godeke and Harold (Joyce) Godeke; sister-in-law, Bettye Godeke; and brothers-in-law, Edgar (Audrey) Kuhlenschmidt and Wayne Drilling.
She was preceded in death by sisters: Mildred (Edwin) Hahn, Mabel (Jim) Blythe, Elsie (Robert) Foerster, Wilma Drilling and Edna Kuhlenschmidt; brother Carl Godeke; brother-in-law Bill Miller; and sister-in-law Marie Godeke.
The family was grateful for the care she received and new friendships she acquired at Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa, after a suffering a stroke in 2013.
The family will hold a private committal service, with burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Pastor Susan Clark of Bourbon First United Church of Christ will be officiating.
A celebration of her life memorial service is being planned for March 10 at the Matchette Senior Center, Bourbon.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, is privileged to be entrusted in arranging the services.
*****
Memorials to First United Church of Christ, 407 N. Main St., Bourbon, IN 46504; or Indiana 4-H Foundation, 515 W. State St., West Lafayette IN 47907.
Condolences may be left at deatonclemensfh.com.
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