Edwin Retka passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday August 21, 2024. Edwin was 85 years old.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, August 26, 2024, at 12:00 PM at Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville. Visitation will take place Sunday Evening from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Iten Funeral Home in Browerville, with a rosary being prayed at 3:45 PM, and a prayer service starting at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue the day of the funeral at the church one hour prior to the mass starting. Burial will immediately follow the service at the church cemetery.

 

Edwin Francis Retka was born on February 20th, 1939, to Sophie (Rasinski) and Leo Retka. He graduated from the Long Prairie High School in 1957 and Married Mary Ann Doege on June 13th, 1967, at St, Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie.

After graduation Ed continued to help his parents on the family farm and his brothers with a milk route. Collecting milk cans as far away as Pine Center. In 1966 he started working for Larson Boats in Little Falls, where he worked for 38 years, retiring in 2004.      

Besides the boat works, Ed and Mary Ann had a small hobby farm where they went on to raise their five children. Ed loved to tinker and fix things. Friends and family would often ask Ed to weld something together or fix a motor for them. He loved to help and visit with people. Ed enjoyed deer hunting and fishing with his grandkids. He always had a story to share. He could often be found working on one of his Farmall tractors in the yard.  Family was a very important part of his life and he will be dearly missed.

 

Edwin passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at home surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann; children, Robert (Renee), Rose, Cecelia (special friend Rick), James (Joni), and John (Andrea); four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and one great step-grandchild; brothers; Alvin (Margaret) and Richard (Barbara). He was preceded in death by his parents, Sophie and Leo Retka; sisters, Joan Nelson, Sr. Evelyn; brother Alfred; In-laws, Laverne and Lucille Hollenkamp, Evelyn and Joe Drayna, Dale Johnson, Joe and Margaret Pachan, and Beverly Retka.