Ludell F. Rettke

Ludell F. Rettke, 99, of Washington, passed away on April 2, 2024. Mrs. Rettke, daughter of the late Ferdinand Buenemann and Olga nee Osthoff, was born on March 15, 1925, in Augusta. She received her education from Augusta Public School. On February 8, 1947, she was united in marriage to Arlie Rettke at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Washington.

Mrs. Rettke loved the outdoors, especially gardening, fishing, and going mushroom hunting. She enjoyed harvesting and cracking thousands of black walnuts and pecans. Many Saturday evenings were spent at Straatmann’s Park dancing with friends and family. Watching the St. Louis Cardinals was always on her list, especially Yadier Molina before he retired. Most of all, Ludell loved her family, watching the grandchildren’s sporting events, and cooking for all of them at any family gathering.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arlie Rettke; siblings, Agnes Ridder, Harold Buenemann, Herbert Buenemann, Rubell Meyer; grandson, Derek Brown; son-in-law, Robert Schatte; two brother-in-laws, Ed Ridder and Roland Meyer and two sister-in-laws, Agatha Buenemann and Berniece Buenemann.

Among her survivors are three children, Diane Schatte of Krakow, Devonne Manhart and husband Tony of Clover Bottom, and Gary Rettke and wife Mary Beth of Clover Bottom; grandchildren, Michelle Roettering and husband Ty of New Haven, Becky Brown and husband Wayne of Union, Cara Hiripitiyage and husband Dinesh of St. Louis, Gina Braden and husband Casey of St. Louis, and Dan Rettke and wife Meaghan of Eureka; great-grandchildren, Trey Roettering, Lane Roettering, Jennifer Crawford, Kiersten Brown, Corrin Hiripitiyage, Parker Braden, Quinn Braden, Rowan Braden, Reese Rettke, Jack Rettke, and one great- great-grandchild, Wyatt Lewis; loved ones and friends.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 8, 2024, from 4-8 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Washington. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to St. Peter’s U.C.C. Cemetery Fund or Mercy Hospice-Washington.

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